Wayne County Magazine - Fall 2020

Southern Evenings HOME & GARDEN

| A R T S & C U LT U R E | P R O F I L E S

Keeping Insuring your you and your dream home family safe.

That’s covered, right?

Many people find out too late they don’t have the home insurance coverage they thought they did.

10 tips for insuring your dream home 1. Insure your house for the cost to rebuild.

2. Make sure you’re comfortable with your liability and medical limits.

3. Consider flood insurance, especially if you’re in a flood prone area.* 4. Get replacement cost coverage for your belongings.

5. Insure expensive items separately, like jewelry, guns and collectibles.

6. Complete written and photo inventories of all your stuff.

7. Complete a Personal and Family Record.

8. Talk to a rep about other coverages you might need.

9. Find out what discounts you qualify for.

10. Call COUNTRY Financial® for real peace of mind.

We ask questions. We help you figure out what you need. We take care of you.

Know what you’re covered for. Ask questions. Get informed. Talk to a pro.

Contact a local COUNTRY Financial representative today!

Shaun O’Quinn, RICP Financial Representative 212 S 1st St Ste 1 Jesup, GA 31545-1137 www.countryfinancial.com/shaun.oquinn shaun.oquinn@countryfinancial.com

(912)588-1051

Home policies issued by COUNTRY Mutual Insurance Company® or COUNTRY Casualty Insurance Company®, Bloomington, IL. *Flood insurance policies are offered through CC Services, Inc., from various third-party carriers not affiliated with COUNTRY Financial®, in accordance with the National Flood Insurance Program. The issuing carrier is responsible for all claims determination as well as claims paying ability. In some states where COUNTRY operates, CC Services, Inc. is also known as CC Services of Illinois, Inc. or CCSI of Illinois, Inc.

S77-187-01 (04/17)

©2017 CC Services, Inc.

WAYNE MAGAZINE

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Special Feature 12

SOUTHERN EVENINGS

In South Georgia, we love to spend our southern evenings outdoors. With mild winters, it's easy to host a dinner party alfresco most any time of the year.

TABLE OF CONTENTS • Winter/Spring 2021

HOME & GARDEN

49

25 A HOLIDAY HOUSE STYLED

WITH LOVE

Sara Jo Rowell's home at Christmas is a beautiful display with fresh garland and wreaths, heirloom ornaments, and new-found treasures.

34 LAWN & GARDEN TIPS

Ryan Madray of Design Landscaping provides recommendations for winter lawn maintenance and landscaping.

36 LINDSEY CORAL HARPER

How to wow with wallpaper.

F E AT U R E S

67

43 50 YEARS OF FIVE-STAR

BACKYARDS

Great Southern Wood Preserving, Inc. is celebrating 50 years in business, and the tale of its humble beginnings in Abbeville, Alabama, is one that embodies the American dream.

49 DREAMING IT REAL, SEEING

IT THRU

How Ben Hockensmith Took On the Appalachian Trail

55 MIRACLES AMID THE

25 About the Cover: Jimbo & Celia Boykin, Sandi & Mike Silva, Deena & Matt Bennett, Caleb Poppell, and Carson Ray celebrate "Southern Evenings" at The Barn at Live Oak. This is the perfect time of year to enjoy family and friends on beautiful southern evenings. A special thank you to The Barn for hosting the photoshoot; Mine & Yours Boutique & David's Clothing for providing the fashions; Mary's Bow K for providing the flowers and our fabulous food editor, Susan Goehring, for the incredible food! Photo by Mattie Genaux Photography.

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SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

AFTERMATH

April 13, 2020, started a little differently than most days in Odum.

As daylight began to dawn, the sky remained dark and dreary – an ominous sign of things to come.

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61 61

103 ART & CULTURE:

FAMILY…CREATED BY LOVE NOT GENETICS

Some people wait for years to get the opportunity to adopt a child. Then some open their home because they are presented with a child(ren) in need. Such is the case for Stevie and Jada Martin.

67 IT'S A FAMILY AFFAIR

For the Bill Headley family, family tradition means three generations of Eagle Scouts.

73 85

PROFILES

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BE POSITIVE ON PURPOSE

Courtney Ashley's new book challenges readers to change how we think, speak, and treat other people.

77

James Boykin died in 2019, but he left a legacy that will long endure.

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JAMES BOYKIN'S ENDURING LEGACY

COOPERATING PRINCIPLES

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WAR AND REMEMBRANCE….AND HONOR

For Vietnam War Veteran Kenny Bryant, participation in the National Honor Flight Network gave him closure to his service in the Air Force.

A MOMENT TO BE CARRIED

Page Poppell Blanton, RN, decided she could best help the fight against COVID 19 on the frontlines in New Jersey.

97 FOOD SECTION

Three local credit unions come together to donate $6,000 to Tabitha's Place.

SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

Food Contributor Susan Goehring offers appetizers for your southern evening buffets.

Featuring Wayne County's talented young artists, including Mary Nell Mosley, Gracie Townsend, Kenly Ogden, Emily Hendrix, and Tristan Suggs. Candice McKinley provides an update on her latest outdoor artwork.

113 TALK OF THE TOWN

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Showcasing Wayne County’s People, Places, and Events.

World-Class Orthopaedics Specializing In:

ACL Tears • Anterior Approach Total Hip Replacements Botox® Injection Therapy • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Cartilage Repair • Electromyography (EMG) Endoscopic Spine Surgery Foot & Ankle Surgery • Fracture Treatment Mako Robotic Assisted Total Knee Replacement Meniscus Tears • Nerve Conduction Studies Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy NEW: PHYSICAL THERAPY Rotator Cuff Repair Shoulder Repair & Replacement Spasticity Treatments & More!

Joseph Hires, PT, DPT | Graham Laidler, PT | Derek Tucker, LPTA

For an appointment, call toll free (866) 806-0800 or (912) 427-0800 | www.BJISG.com | www.Facebook.com/BJISG PROUDLY SERVING SOUTHERN GEORGIA IN FOUR LOCATIONS: JESUP - HINESVILLE - WAYCROSS - BAXLEY WAYNE MAGAZINE 5

FROM THE

Publisher

Editors and Publishers

John F. Riddle & Connie K. Riddle Showcase Publications, Inc.

Creative Director

Robin Harrison Caffeine Generated Graphics

Designers:

Robin Harrison, Russ Hutto

Cover Photography

Mattie Genaux Photography

Contributing Photographers

(Left) Suzanne Bowen, Connie Riddle, Melissa Blanton, Mattie Genaux, Susan Goehring. (Right) Connie Riddle and Ceila Boykin

Grateful, Humble, Blessed

W

e are always grateful and excited to publish an issue of Wayne Magazine, but this issue we are especially thankful for. For all of us, 2020 has been an interesting year as we all have experienced a pandemic that has affected loved ones, friends, and businesses. Our country seems to be divided, and at times we question what the future holds.

Fortunately, we live in Wayne County! Although everything is not perfect, our community is blessed with people and businesses that care about one another and help each other in times of need. Wayne Magazine celebrates that through stories of love, endurance, encouragement, and giving from individuals and families whose examples compel us to be the best we can be and to "do unto others."

We also offer more lighthearted stories and advice on how to spend your "Southern Evenings," recipes for a southern buffet, and tips for your home and garden.

We appreciate the many great advertisers whose business, like ours, rely on support from our local community. Please take time to see what they have to offer and make a point to shop local. Tell them you saw their ad in Wayne Magazine!

As this year comes to a close, we appreciate what we have, the love we share, and the friends who make life so much more interesting, fun, and meaningful. And especially for our readers, advertisers, writers, and photographers who make Wayne Magazine possible.

Here's to 2021 and brighter days ahead!

John & Connie Riddle

info@showcasepublicationga.com

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Mattie Genaux Photography Laurey W. Glenn Miss Magnolia Soul Photography Francesco Lagnese Patrick Cline Sommer Skies Photography John Riddle Davontay Wilson Photography Nikki Suggs

Contributing Writers:

Candee Harris, Melba Bennett Murphy Melissa Moxley, John F. Riddle Susan Goehring, Candice McKinley Lindsey Coral Harper, Jade Brown Sara Jo Rowell, Sherry McClelland

WAYNE MAGAZINE is published bi-annually by Showcase Publications, Inc. For information on advertising, submitting articles, or photography: (912)-424-8772 P.O. Box 391 • Jesup, GA 31598 info@showcasepublicationsga.com Website: showcasepublicationsga.com Other magazines published by Showcase Publications, Inc.: Valdosta Magazine / Okefenokee Living Jeff Davis Living / Emanuel County Living Washington County Living Traditions Highway Magazine & Travel Guide All rights reserved. Copies or reproduction of this publication in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without expressed written authorization from the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein. Advertising is subject to omission, errors and other changes without notice. The opinions expressed by the writers are not necessarily those of the publisher.

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OUR AFA TEAM CARES!

WE'RE COMMITTED TO OUR PATIENTS AND OUR COMMUNITIES

In the early part of the year 2020, we were united by the Coronavirus. Due to the Pandemic, businesses, families, and the way we socialize has changed. The small things we took for granted, such as merely visiting one another, going to church and the grocery store, or visiting your physician, are more complicated.

Ankle & Foot Associates, LLC, continues to monitor how our office operates daily and what is needed to remain healthy as we navigate this difficult time.

Our offices are still closely monitoring the recommendations given concerning COVID-19 from the US. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local public health authorities' updates.

Dr. Rob Spinola and his family of Ankle & Foot Associates, LLC in Jesup extended their care of giving to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by joining forces with the Wayne County Partners in Education.

As the fall, winter, and flu seasons approach, the Wayne County School System will face even more significant challenges. They feel it is imperative to begin equipping their classrooms with air purifiers. This additive measure will offer more protection for students, faculty, and staff. The school system has asked local businesses and individuals to consider purchasing these air purifying units for their schools. Dr. Spinola has sponsored air purifiers for the entire Arthur Williams Middle School and encourages others to contribute.

The AFA Team is committed to improving the health and well being of our communities.

www.AnklesandFeet.comN O M A D I C 8

SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

|

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What’s Lapiplasty? Do you have a Bunion??

The Lapiplasty® procedure corrects the root cause of a bunion, which is a misaligned toe bone. The three-dimensional lapiplasty approach is a revolutionary new type of bunion surgery. The procedure dramatically shortens the time patients have to stay off their affected foot. This technique is a new approach to a traditional bunionectomy which can keep a patient off their foot for up to 6 weeks. Lapiplasty surgery allows patients to bear weight on their foot within days after surgery.

Dr. Rob Spinola and Dr. Danielle McKenna are board-certified foot and ankle surgeons that will provide you with expert recommendations and help prepare you for any necessary lower extremity surgeries, including Lapiplasty® bunion surgery.

Put Your Feet in Great Hands!

Make an Appointment Today at one of our convenient locations!

331 Peachtree Street Jesup, GA 31545

912-427-9990 118 Azalea Road, Suite 1&2 Baxley, GA 31513

912-705-3338 NEW PATIENTS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME! Most Insurances Accepted. www.AnklesandFeet.com

WAYNE MAGAZINE

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FROM OUR

Readers

WAYNE MAGAZINE loves hearing from our readers and followers about the stories we publish and what it means to them.

Post your comments on Facebook or send us an e-mail. And don't forget to take Wayne Magazine with you when you travel. Take a photo and send it in. You just might see yourself in Wayne Magazine.

Pictures and/or letters can be sent to: info@showcasepublicationsga.com or mailed to: P.O. Box 391; Jesup, GA 31598

Living

by Faith Story by CANDEE HARRIS | Photography provided by THE FAMILY

MATT AND DEENA BENNETT FIRST MET ON LABOR DAY WEEKEND of 1997, on a sandbar formed by the mighty Altamaha River. Deena Crosby grew up in neighboring Pierce County but loved hanging out with friends here in Wayne. After high school, she attended Georgia Southern University, graduating in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, then moving to Marietta to work as a marketing director for a family-owned business. Matt Bennett was born and raised Wayne County proud, leaving to attend South Georgia College in Douglas to play baseball in August ’95 and

“

THEIRS IS A STORY FOR THE AGES. A LOVE STORY THAT HAS OVERCOME “FOR WORSE” TO RELISH IN “ FOR BETTER.”

After beating all odds, the Bennetts (Deena, Matt, and Faith) are living the life they always dreamed of.

transferring to Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta in August of ’97. Ironically, just as Matt was getting ready to head to Marietta, Deena had already committed to move back home to Blackshear.

Upon meeting, they hit it off immediately, and despite the distance, began a long-distance relationship for the next three years while Matt earned his degree in civil engineering. In June 2000, with WAYNE MAGAZINE

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I love these people! And I enjoy reading the beautiful stories in the magazine.”

“

- GLORIA MILLER OVERHOLT

Oh, the tears! What a sweet story and testimony.”

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- APRIL ANDERSON DIXON

“

Love this!!!”

- PAM HARRIS

“

“

So Lovely!”

- KELLY DINH

Beautiful!”

- GINA HOBBS JEFFORDS

SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Have WAYNE MAGAZINE delivered to your home bi-annually.

Subscriptions are $15.00 and make a great gift for family and friends.

Name: Address:

City: State: Make Checks payable to Showcase Publications and mail to: P.O. Box 391 | Jesup, GA 31598 Or subscribe online at showcasepublications.com

SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

Zip:

Downtown Jesup Since 1972

@davidsclothing

CLOTHING FOR YOUR LIFE 9 1 2 . 4 2 7 . 3 1 3 3 | 1 6 2 W . C h e r r y S t r e e t | J e s u p, G A | s h o p d a v i d s c l o t h i n g . c o m WAYNE MAGAZINE

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Southern Evenings

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SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

I

t's no secret that in South Georgia, we love to spend our southern evenings outdoors. And why not? With mild winters, it's easy to host a dinner party alfresco most any time of the year, except for those sizzling summer evenings, which almost require having any event indoors.

When we thought about creating this Southern Evenings scene, with sharp-dressed friends enjoying savory dishes amidst a quintessential South Georgia backdrop, we thought of The Barn at Live Oak as the perfect place. Of course, our food editor, Susan Goehring, was part of the planning with her unique twist on delectable appetizers, delicious main dishes, and unique drink recipes. As fresh flowers make any event more beautiful, a local florist, Mary’s Bow-K, arranged a stunning centerpiece. We also welcomed two of our fashion advertisers, David's Clothing and Mine & Yours Boutique, to style our models in the perfect attire for any southern evening.

So, as you enjoy "Southern Evenings," we hope you find inspiration for hosting your own southern evening soirees. Remember, enlisting a little help from local retailers will enhance the experience for you and your guests.

Story by JOHN RIDDLE Photography by MATTIE GENAUX PHOTOGRAPHY Food Prepared by SUSAN GOEHRING (For recipes see Food Section on page 97) Flowers by MARY'S BOW-K Venue Host THE BARN AT LIVE OAK RANCH

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Southern Evenings

Care for a Drink?

When considering how to make your guests comfortable in an outdoor setting, consider styling an outdoor room as a focal point for people to gather and relax.

Making a specialty drink that is unique to the setting is an added gesture guests will appreciate. This bourbon apple punch is perfect for this occasion. Consider setting up your specialty drink apart from the other beverages to make it more of an experience.

ABOVE:

Jimbo Boykin, Sandi Silva, Ceila Boykin, Mike Silva

RIGHT:

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SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

s

A Room Outdoors s

Jimbo Boykin and Caleb Poppell

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Southern Evenings

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SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

Conversation Spaces s Creating areas where smaller groups can settle in for a more extended conversation creates interest and invites guests to linger a little longer.

s

ABOVE: Mike Silva and Matt Bennett

A Whiskey Barrell Buffett Whiskey barrels are the perfect height for a buffet table.

A centerpiece of fresh flowers provides a touch of elegance.

See recipes in "Food Section" on page 97.

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Southern Evenings

Comfort Food s

s

Soups are comfort food and help make your guests more comfortable as they wrap their hands around a warm bowl of your favorite soup. Consider using heirloom pieces as focal points for your buffet table, such as this soup terrine, which was hand made by Connie's great aunt.

Dessert on Wheels A cart, covered with burlap, holds drinks and dessert. Mason jars wrapped with ribbon serve as glasses. An easy-to-pick-up dessert allows guests to quickly grab something sweet.

ABOVE: Ceila Boykin, Deena Bennett, Sandi Silva, Carson Ray RIGHT: Mike Silva, Jimbo Boykin, Caleb Poppell, Matt Bennett

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SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

Steal Away Guests like to steal away from the larger group for conversation and to catch up. Consider places for smaller groups to retreat to when hosting your southern evening event.

s

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Southern Evenings

Mike & Sandi s Mike is sporting a Southern Marsh plaid sport shirt under a light weight, two-tone pullover with Silver Jeans in a classic straight fit. Sandi is wearing Molly Bracken outerwear with this season’s best-selling cognac boot.

Deena & Matt (Top Right) Deena has on one of the warmest sweaters of the season from Carlie B paired with rose gold studded straight leg pants. Matt is wearing Peter Millar crown sport shirt with reversible vest paired with Duck Head navy canvas five-pocket pant.

s

Ceila & Jimbo

Celia is pictured in a reversible Tribal brand vest with flared black jeans and accents. Jimbo is donning a Peter Millar sport shirt with quilted Essex vest and five-pocket brown Crown Comfort pants.

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SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

Life isn't perfect, but your outfit can be!

(912) 427-7087 Online shopping now available!

138 S. Macon Street | Jesup, GA 31545

Visit shopmineandyours.com WAYNE MAGAZINE

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At home Senior living is privately owned and operated. Our positive approach to Senior Care allows us to create an environment where our seniors thrive. We are delighted to offer luxurious Senior Living with all the amenities while maintaining the comforts of home right here in Jesup, Georgia. We look forward to getting to know you and serving your Senior Living needs.

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INDEPENDENT LIVING | PREMIER ASSISTED LIVING | SPECIALIZED MEMORY CARE SHORT TERM / RESPITE CARE | ADULT DAY SERVICE

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Adult Day Service

Premier Assisted Living

Short Term / Respite Care

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WAYNE MAGAZINE

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SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

Home & Garden Featuring inspiring homes, design ideas, and tips you can use to make your home and garden even more beautiful!

Green velvet ribbon, fresh greenery, and ornaments add a festive touch to Sara Jo and Scott Rowell's master bedroom writing table. Photo by Mattie Genaux Photography.

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Scott & Sara Jo Rowell

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SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

Home & Garden

A HOLIDAY HOUSE

love STYLED WITH

Photography by MATTIE GENAUX PHOTOGRAPHY

Each year, Sara Jo Rowell decorates her home for Christmas with her collection of holiday décor.

It is a beautiful display with fresh garland and wreaths, heirloom ornaments, and new-found ­treasures. It is as meaningful as it is beautiful. Her passion is to ­celebrate the true meaning of the season and to share love with ­others through a spirit of “invitation, sharing, and giving.”

“It’s been my long-standing request that my husband, Scott, and son, Dryver, leave for the weekend and leave me to create. They bring out the boxes and make haste in leaving. They’re usually headed for a hunting excursion. When they return on Sunday evening, everything but the live tree is done. I save that for another day. They come in happy and hungry and it always brings me joy to see Dryver’s reactions to what I’ve done.”

“To me, Christmas is the spirit of invitation, of sharing and giving. I feel honored when extending each of those. It’s a time for reminiscing, making new memories and reflecting on the reason for it all.”

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Home & Garden

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SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

“On Christmas Eve,

we open our home, not only to family and friends, but to those who may be missing a loved one or are just short on plans. I often search those people out. Sometimes, we may have only a few guests but, sometimes, many more. The more, the merrier!

It’s a seated dinner and a dress party of sorts. I pull out my best dishes and dress each table with handed down gems or new found treasures. Years ago, I borrowed the best of recipes from the Purvis family and we’ve been serving it since. It’s tradition now, Beef Tenderloin, a side of fettucine, a beautiful salad and undoubtedly a toast to the King. I want everyone who comes to feel warmth, love, peace and the sense of belonging as they gather around the table. The decorations help me create that space.”

dining

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Home & Garden

“I tend toward tradition

but it’s really more of a collection than a style. Everything I collect just seems to fall into place. My Mother’s ornaments, decades of Christmas cards bound into books, framed painted holiday cards from Scott’s mother, gifts friends have given me over the years or something I’ve fallen in love with while shopping. They all seem to find their proper place. With plenty of ribbon, seasonal pillows and throws can turn any home into a festive place.”

One of Sara Jo’s “hand-me-down-gems” is her grandmother’s silver tea service.

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SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

decorations

“The most sentimental

and meaningful decoration is the Nativity Scene my father bought my mother in 1960, their first Christmas together. It came from Kress’ Department store in Brunswick. He built the Manger by hand with wooded sides, pine bark for a roof and put a music box inside. I would play it over and over as a child.

Another of my decorations are the ornaments my mother and I made together. I was probably seven years old or so and I remember making those with her. It feels like they’re worth a million bucks today.”

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Home & Garden

“Live trees, garland and wreaths

bring all our C ­ hristmas decorations to life! There’s no substituting that unmatched holiday smell. Ever caught a whiff of a Carolina Sapphire in bloom?

It’s a labor of love but my dad hand-ties fresh cuttings from his cypress and pines to make my garland, like you see over my front door. I source everything else from Days of Creation, right here in Jesup. They have a variety of tree sizes and species and they create the most wonderful wreaths adding plenty of depth and a variety of clippings to each.

It’s a must to get the trees into water as soon as possible and ensure they never go dry. It’s surprising how fast a fresh cut tree can drink. In the first few days I often fill the stand 2 or 3 times each day. Ensuring they have plenty of water will help them stay alive several weeks. One trick I found is that they drink warm water best.

The key to keeping wreaths alive is to keep them out of direct sunlight and away from any heat source. I hang mine inside, dress them with ribbon and enjoy them all month long.” |WM

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er 6

912-559-2142 462 E. Cherry Street • Jesup, GA 31546 www.abanksrealestate.com

912-559-2142 462 E. Cherry Street Jesup, GA 31546 www.abanksrealestate.com

Alexis Garrido (912) 559-2142

Peggy Hickey (912) 614-7546

Wynter Davis (803)270-8363

April Banks (912) 424-0687

Jessica Kramer Miranda Carter Ricky Stringer (912) 424-6847 (912) 294-5016 (912) 424-9425

462 E Cherry Street Jesup, Georgia 31546

(912) 385-2532 Thomas Banks, Family Owned & Operated

WAYNE MAGAZINE

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Lawn & Garden Tips

"Winter months in Southeast Georgia are the perfect time to evaluate your landscape, remove unwanted trees, shrubs, and other plants, and prepare to plant new ones." ~ Ryan Madray, Design Landscaping

Often we buy plants on impulse, ending up with a garden which is alive in spring yet dull the rest of the year. However, a little thoughtful planning can result in a garden that is alive with color: with flowers all year round and an ever-changing array of colorful foliage and fruits.

Ryan Madray, the owner of Design Landscaping, offers advice and tips about lawn maintenance and landscaping during the winter.

LAWN AND GARDEN MAINTENANCE MOWING: Mow your lawn occasionally through the winter months to groom and remove leaves, pine needles, etc., thus allowing you to inspect for winter weeds. You can plan to spray when the weather warms up.

IRRIGATION: If you have an automatic irrigation system, now is the time to adjust your settings to fewer watering days as many plants are dormant and require less water during this time.

FERTILIZER: It is also a good time to apply lime to your yard if needed to balance the pH in your soil - indicated by yellowing grass, difficulty recovering after a drought, an over-abundance of rain, especially acid rain, or your fertilizer is not working.

PRUNING: February is the month for pruning trees and plants and applying post-emergence herbicides for existing weeds. Preemergence herbicides can also be applied in early spring to fend off summer weeds before they have a chance to attack your lawn.

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Home & Garden

YEAR-ROUND COLOR

Pansies

WINTER GARDENS are a great way to bring color to the dreariest time of the year. You may not be able to grow everything in the winter, but you'd be surprised at what you can do if you plant the right things. Annual flowers such as Pansies, Violets, Carnations, Baby's Breath, and Geraniums are all good choices!

SOME COMMON SPECIES THAT WILL DO WELL WITH MINIMAL MAINTENANCE ARE:

Sweet Flag

Witch Hazel

SWEET FLAG is a grass-like, lowmaintenance perennial that spreads slowly over time to form a dense groundcover but is not considered invasive. The foliage has a light, sweet scent when crushed.

WITCH HAZEL is another good option.

This is a large deciduous shrub with colorful, fragrant flowers during the winter. It's virtually maintenancefree and resistant to most pests and diseases. Witch Hazel performs best in full sun (or filtered shade in hotter regions), and the flowers are a bright

orange/red color. Once established, they are virtually maintenancefree and resistant to most pests and diseases."

CHINESE FRINGE FLOWER, better known around here as Loropetalum, also makes a great shrub and requires minimal maintenance. Preferable growing conditions include sun to partial shade (especially afternoon shade) and moist, well-drained, acidic soil.

Once established, they are very tolerant of drought conditions and have few disease or pest problems.

There are several varieties to choose from with white or various shades of pink flowers.

Loropetalum

CUSTOM LANDSCAPE DESIGN: Sod Installation | Shrubs & Trees | Bedding Plants UNIQUE HARDSCAPES: Seating areas | Fire Pits | Archway Entrances | Pavers

CALL FOR A FREE CONSULTATION! Design Landscaping specializes in the design and installation of lawns, plant beds, hardscapes, and fencing. They also work with current homeowners and businesses to update landscapes.

Ryan with his daughter Charlee

For more information on Design Landscaping's services, call or text (678) 347-6136, email ryanmadray@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/designlandscaping.

WAYNE MAGAZINE

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Home & Garden Photos (this page and opposite) by FRANCESCO LAGNESE

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WOW HOW TO

WITH WALLPAPER

The word on the street is that wallpaper is back! I don't think it went anywhere; I have been using it for years. There are so many wonderful ways to use wallpaper. It can warm up a space or add a prodigious twist when used somewhere unexpected!! Just have fun with it!

Grasscloth can add texture and color as well as depth to a space without committing to a pattern.

Home & Garden

ABOVE: A strie or dragged paper is a great paper to use when you want a little bit of color but not much pattern. I use these types of paper a lot in bathrooms.

RIGHT: Large patterns can look great in a large room instead of the other way around. Jazz up a large room with a busy pattern on the walls!

Photos (above, right) by Laurey W. Glenn

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TOP: Don't forget the fifth wall! Putting paper on

the ceiling actually is a great design trick that can finish a space when a white ceiling just doesn't cut it.

This can also warm up the room or make a vaulted ceiling not seem so overwhelming.

Photos (above and right) by Francesco Lagnese

RIGHT: One trick of the trade is to paper behind your bookcases for an added dimension. It really will make your books pop against the background. Use smaller patterns for bookcases and ceilings, smaller areas.

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ABOVE: If you are nervous about using wallpaper from floor to ceiling, break it up by adding a wainscot and papering above it.

LEFT: Large patterns can look great in a large

room instead of the other way around. Jazz up a large room with a busy pattern on the walls!

Photos by Laurey W. Glenn

Lindsey Coral Harper’s early life was spent in Jesup before moving to Cartersville, Georgia, with her mother. A graduate of the University of Georgia, she established her own residential design firm in 2007 in New York, NY. Her work has been featured on the cover of House Beautiful, Garden and Gun, and Southern Living. In 2019, she opened Coral, a shop in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, featuring home dÊcor, furniture, art, accessories, and more. Learn more about Lindsey at lchinteriors.com.

Photo by Patrick Cline

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FINANCIAL PLANNING

Let’s Take a Retirement Test Drive

R

etirement is probably something you’ve been dreaming about for years – and we don’t blame you. Some want to escape to a sunny beach or calming mountain top, while others just want to sip coffee on their porch in the morning and escape the rat race. We’re here to help make that happen.

With all of the retirement tips floating around, we know it can be overwhelming. There’s loads of information out there and different approaches you can take. We want to make it easy for you.

Here’s a simple step you can take to see if you are financially ready to retire: Test drive retirement.

Here’s what we mean: • Identify all your sources of retirement income -- social security, your 401k, savings, and pension.

• Determine your monthly income from those sources.

• Here’s where the “test drive” part comes in. Set that as your new monthly budget and continue to work.

• Direct any income that exceeds your new monthly budget to your 401(k) or other retirement plans to boost that balance during your “test drive.”

To be sure you can handle any peaks in expenses, such as holiday expenses and vacations, keep working for six months to a year and see how comfortable you are with your expected retirement income.

If you’re financially comfortable after your “test drive,” that might mean you’re closer than you thought to calling yourself a retiree!

Shaun O’Quinn, RICP Financial Representative, Jesup, GA

AUTO | HOME | LIFE | BUSINESS | RETIREMENT

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Jesup Plant Management Team: Kyle Jones, Inside Sales Representative; Joe Nees, Manager, Remanufacturing; Bill Freeman, General Manager; Chad Blizzard, Sales Manager; Bobby Knight, Plant Manager; Tara Gordon, Administrative Assistant.

YEARS

(left)

The Jesup plant office

HHHHH OF FIVE-STAR BACKYARDS

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Story by CANDEE HARRIS

f you’ve ever built a house, a shed, or just about anything in between that requires pressure-treated lumber, you’re most likely familiar with the Southern Yellow Pine lumber that has the little “Yella” tag on the end. YellaWood® is a well-known name in these parts, but did you know that it gets that little Yella tag right here in Jesup?

Great Southern Wood Preserving, Inc. is celebrating 50 years in business, and the tale of its humble beginnings in Abbeville, Alabama, is one that embodies the American dream (even though it wasn’t part of the plan). It was 1970, and Jimmy Rane was a senior in law school at Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law. He was clerking at a prestigious law firm in Birmingham and was offered a job at the firm as soon as he graduated and passed the bar exam. He had his career all figured out - to practice law in Birmingham.

“I knew nothing about the wood-treating business. I didn’t know the difference between a 2”x 4” and a 2” x 6”. I had no

PHOTOS BY MATTIE GENAUX PHOTOGRAPHY

intention of getting into the wood-treating business,” Rane said.

But in a tragic turn of fate, Rane’s first wife’s parents were killed in an automobile accident in June of ‘70. They were owners of a large farm in his hometown of Abbeville, and the property included a small wood-treating plant they used to treat fence posts for his farm and others nearby.

The family’s plan to sell the wood-treating plant fell apart after discovering that doing so would trigger an extremely high tax debt causing the family to lose the entire farm. As a result, Rane attempted to mediate his first case while still a senior in law school. “I proposed that we sell the equipment but lease the land. But, the equipment hadn’t been used in a while and didn’t work. So, I came up with another plan. I bought the equipment for $10,000 and leased the land for $250 a year. I planned to get the equipment fixed, flip it, get out of the wood-treating business, and stay in Birmingham and be a lawyer. Obviously, that’s not the way things worked out.”

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To get the equipment and plant in condition to sell, Rane secured a $76,000 loan. And with the help of his father-in-law’s one employee, Lawson Curry, and friend, Philip McMahan, who Rane brought in to be his partner and manage the plant, Rane returned to Birmingham to practice law. Soon, McMahan had the plant up and running, but by August, he was ready to return to Birmingham. “It had become clear that we weren’t going to be able to sell the plant. It was decision time, and I had no choice.

I had all this money that I owed, and Philip was leaving to go home to Birmingham, so I had to return to Abbeville and run the plant.” After surviving a couple of tough economic years and incurring more debt to keep it going, Great Southern Wood Preserving had its first profitable year in 1973, earning $18,796.97.

Rane’s brother Greg came in as a full partner in 1974. That same year, the company bought its first truck. In 1976, Great Southern opened a second plant in Mobile, Alabama. “Even though we kept growing, we never seemed to have any money,” Rane said. “We always had to wait for payments to come in before we could pay our bills.”

Fortunately, 1983 changed everything. Rane was presented with an opportunity to apply for Harvard Business School’s Smaller Company Management Program. He thought his friends were behind it as a joke, but he applied. So you can imag-

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ine his surprise when he was accepted! He began in January 1984, traveling to Boston for the classes. “At that time, I had a degree in business administration, a law degree, had been in business for thirteen years and felt as dumb as a rock for not understanding why we never had any money. But when I got to Harvard, we were doing a case study on Browning Lumber Company, and it was like someone flipped a switch, and the light turned on. I knew what the problem was—we were undercapitalized. We couldn’t make good business decisions because we based every decision we made on us not having money. We couldn’t take advantage of a good buy because we didn’t have any money. We couldn’t do business with certain customers because we couldn’t give them long enough terms. When I got back home, I went to a bank in Birmingham and got a $1 million credit line based on inventory and receivables. Like a Saturn 5 rocket, the company took off after that.”

Rane also learned some marketing strategies while in Boston. Using a technique from Perdue Farms’ owner Frank Perdue, he began appearing in commercials himself and appealing to the end-users that bought his products. One of the most memorable commercial series featured Rane as Yella Fella, a yellow-clad western hero, and his trusty horse Lemon Drop.

Through trials, tribulations, and nail-biting cliffhangers, they

One of the most memorable commercial series featured Rane as Yella Fella, a yellow-clad western hero, and his trusty horse Lemon Drop.

An aerial view of the plant in Jesup, Georgia

The original plant in Abbeville, AL

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(left and right) Grand opening of the Jesup plant in 2006 included Jimmy Rane.

Great Southern broke ground in November 2004, and operations started in February 2006. Their seventh plant was now firmly planted in Wayne County.

always won, sending a message of good triumphing over evil and emphasizing the values of honesty and integrity.

But enough history! Let’s get back to the Jesup plant and how it came to be.

General manager Bill Freeman started the story with a synopsis of his 27-year career with Great Southern. “After graduating from The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, I went to work with Georgia Pacific in Atlanta for three years. Great Southern was one of our customers, and I was offered the opportunity to work for them in the role of plant manager at their Conyers, Georgia, plant in 1993. In 2000, I was transferred to Statesboro to manage the start-up of that Great Southern plant that had leased from Louisiana Pacific (LP). Along with the transfer came a promotion to general manager. The original plan was to purchase the plant in Statesboro. But, when the purchase fell through, the company began shopping for a new plant located on the East Coast to remain in the highly successful coastal market they had developed in South Georgia, South Carolina, and North Florida.”

That search for the perfect location took Bill from North Florida to North Carolina. But when he visited Wayne County, he knew he’d found the right place. “We based our decision on several factors, but a very important part was the friendly welcome we received from local economic development staff, city leaders, and the community. When you add to it that the people and the workforce of Wayne County fit the culture of Great Southern, we knew we had found our new home,” he explained.

Great Southern broke ground in November 2004, and operations started in February 2006. Their seventh plant was

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now firmly planted in Wayne County. Not only does the facility pressure treat lumber as the other plants do, moving anywhere from 40-60 truckloads per day, but it’s also grown to be the most diverse plant in production with a full-line remanufacturing facility and dry kiln for Kiln Dried After Treatment products.

They manufacture porch columns, balusters, pattern stock, siding, and many more decorative home improvement products.

These products are sold to wholesale customers, including local hardware stores Harris Ace Hardware and Murphy Builders Supply Company.

Jesup’s leadership team is tasked with ensuring the plant runs like clockwork daily, and the “let’s get it done” philosophy of their dedicated team of employees makes that happen. Each team member knows their job and works every day to produce superior products for their customers. Ask them, and they’ll tell you they’re proud to work for this company because they know the company values them. It’s a culture that management instills and that employees buy into wholeheartedly. Administrative assistant Tara Gordon summed it up, “It’s a really good work environment. They make you feel welcome, wanted, and, more than anything, appreciated from the moment you walk in.

We are like a family!”

Plant manager Bobby Knight is key to the facility’s production, responsible for all aspects of the treating facility. He laughed and said he has sawdust in his veins, growing up in the small-town sawmills where his father worked. After college, he worked for a competitor of Great Southern’s, staying 18 years before coming to Jesup in 2012. He appreciates that he and Bill are allowed to run the plant like their own business, always

keeping in mind Great Southern’s best interest when making local decisions. And he added, “Although I’m a transplant, Jesup is like home for me.”

Joe Nees began a career in lumber remanufacturing that is now going on 25 years. He and his family relocated to Jesup from Indiana in 2014 to manage the remanufacturing shop that sits across Macon Street from the main plant. Joe explained what happens in the “reman” shop. “We produce a lot of different products, including YellaWood Select®, YellaWood Super Select®, and YellaWood® Architectural Trim. The reman shop constructs YellaWood® porch columns, which are manufactured exclusively here in Jesup along with various sizes of pallets and balusters, T&G V Joint, and many other pattern boards utilizing various grades of lumber from #4 to C&BTR lumber.”

According to Nees, “The best thing about Great Southern is the commitment to reinvest in the employees and the tools that are needed to put out superior products. Our core values are second to none. We are always striving to get better and grow. There has never been a time when Great Southern has not continued to invest in each facility and its employees, to create opportunity.”

Sales Manager Chad Blizzard began his career with Great Southern in November 1996 as an outside sales rep in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, while that plant was being built. He lived in Nashville, Tennessee, and covered the middle Tennessee area for a year before transferring to the Conyers, Georgia, plant in December 1997, where he continued doing outside sales until 2004. “In the spring of 2004, I was promoted to sales manager and transferred to our Statesboro plant. We moved to Jesup in June of 2005. It has been exciting to be a part of the growth of our company. We have great people on our team in Jesup who care about doing a good job and are focused on taking care of our customers,” Chad said.

When asked about opportunities for growth with the company, Bill referred to Kyle Jones, who started with Great Southern

Wood in the spring of 2012, as a great example.” Kyle said. “I was living and working in Macon, Georgia, while my fiancée was attending law school in Atlanta. After she graduated, we decided to move back home so she could practice law, which meant that I had to find a new job. I wanted to find someplace where I felt that I could start a good career.”

He heard that ‘Yellawood’ (as everyone in town calls it) was looking to bring someone in for a management trainee position, so he interviewed and got the job. “During my training I spent several weeks working in different areas of the plant, which was very beneficial for me as it allowed me to experience the different roles that each position plays and how they interact with each other,” Kyle explained. His first job was in Inventory Control before being promoted to Kiln/Panel Shop Manager. “That was my first experience with managing crews of people so I was a bit nervous, but I readily accepted the challenge. I was very lucky to have a great group of people working with me to keep things moving smoothly. About a year later, I was asked by Chad Blizzard about moving into a sales role, and I’ve been in the sales office ever since. I can definitely say that this has been a great organization to work for with great people to work with.”

Bill and Bobby both emphasized the family feel of the company. They spoke about what a great community Wayne County is and how happy they are to be here as individuals and with this company. With a staff of 157, Bill reiterated what a great employee base there is in Wayne County and how they appreciate their employees’ dedication to their jobs and the company. And the company rewards them for their dedication.

Employees are offered full benefits packages, including health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement options, and paid time off.

Bill has always kept in mind two distinct philosophies through the years. He smiled as they came to mind. “Jimmy’s dad always told him, ‘If you’re green, you’re growing; if you’re ripe, you’re rotten.’ And I’ve heard Jimmy say dozens of times, ‘If we’re content and happy with who we are and what we are, I might as well go to the house, ‘cause that’s not who we are or what we do.’”

He added, “Everybody talks customer service, but we live it. If we make a mistake, we’re going the extra mile to fix it and make that customer happy. That’s who we are and what we do.” And that business philosophy has paid off. Great Southern Wood Preserving has continued to grow to 14 plants, seven of which were acquired during the recession, reaching as far west as Columbus, Texas, and north to Fombell, Pennsylvania.

Meanwhile, the Jesup plant thrives here in Southeast Georgia, sitting right in the middle of the tall yellow pines that have helped make Great Southern Wood Preserving the largest provider of pressure-treated wood in the world.

For more information about Great Southern Wood and their YellaWood® products, follow them on social media or visit their website at www.yellawood.com. |WM WAYNE MAGAZINE

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2849 Savannah Highway • Jesup, GA 31545

912-427-8880 rrautosalesinc.com

rrcampersales.com

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“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

Ben Hockensmith with his son, Benjamin, at the beginning of their journey in March of 2019

Dreaming It Real, Seeing It Thru: How Ben Hockensmith Took On the Appalachian Trail Story By Sherri L. McLendon

f

OR BEN HOCKENSMITH, the Appalachian Trail was the stuff dreams are made of.

“I’d been dreaming about thru-hiking the trail for about three years,” he recalls. “I said, ‘I’m going to do it one day.”

The quiet, laid-back Screven husband and father began hiking a half decade earlier through his church.

That first hike led to several longer ones. He was, he admits, testing himself to see how he might do if hiking the iconic, difficult Appalachian Trail.

Nearing 50, and with 25 years of service at the Federal Correction Institution, Jesup, Hockensmith retired in 2017. There was nothing to do except cut grass.

“I retired so I could hike that trail. I wanted something to challenge me,” he says.

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Ben Hockensmith in front of his tent

The Appalachian National Scenic Trail posed a challenge that remains legend. The story of the Trail begins in 1921, when Benton MacKaye published his vision for “An Appalachian Trail: A Project in Regional Planning.” By the 1930s, that vision emerged into a continuous footpath reaching from Springer Mountain, Georgia, to Mount Katahdin, Maine. In between those terminus points lie 14 states, six national parks, and eight national forests along 2,192 miles of hiking trails.

Hockensmith would soon set foot on every single inch of that transcendent trail with a steadfast determination that is so ingrained in his character that his family takes it for granted.

He studied everything he could get his hands on. He poured over the internet.

He mapped the trail, considered the best places to resupply and places where the trail would intersect with roads and towns.

What started as a dream became a plan.

His wife, Denise, an administrator with Community Home Care, a division of Wayne Memorial Hospital, in Jesup, agreed to take care of things at home so that the plan could become a reality.

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Ben at McAfee Knob in Roanoke Virginia, one of the most photographed spots on the Appalachian Trail.

“Anything he decides to do, he does 100 percent whether it’s free or paid. He will do it to the best of his ability. I knew he wasn’t coming back until it was done,” she says.

Her support made all the difference in sizing up the challenge.

“Only about 20-22 percent of hikers complete an official ‘thru-hike,’ start and finish in a year,” Hockensmith says. “Few people make it.”

Hockensmith was destined to become one of those few.

Northbound hikers start in March in Georgia and follow the warming temperatures. Due to autumn snows in northern climates, hikers know they

SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

must complete the trek by October 15, when Baxter State Park closes.

“If you’re not done, wherever you’re at, you get off the trail.”

His son, Benjamin, would join him in March 2019, traversing the first 350 miles. Denise and their daughter, Taylor Madray, of Patterson, a speech-language pathologist at Martha Rawls Smith Elementary in Jesup, drove them up to Springer Mountain. The family walked the mile to the start of the trail head.

“The weather didn’t look that bad when they dropped us off,” he says. “But it was raining. Then it was pouring. It froze that night. Everything we had was frozen solid.”

Appalachian Trail That first day and coldest night would prove to be the worst of the entire hike.

“My son said, ‘What have you gotten us into?’,” Hockensmith recalls.

The trail was a lot harder and more isolated than the younger man had expected.

“It’s not a dirt road. It’s maintained by definition,” Benjamin says. “But it’s a wilderness. You go from walking over brush and leaves to walking over rocks all day. The next day, water and puddles, and the next, dry as a bone.”

The younger Hockensmith now admits he almost called it quits right then. But, believe it or not, the two were able to get cell service. Emails and texts back home helped ease the situation, as did the company of other hikers.

“People ask, ‘What did you talk about?’,” Benjamin recalls. “You don’t do a whole lot of talking; you’ve got a task to do. You’re in your own head space, head down, digging all day, uphill, downhill. It’s physically demanding.”

“The Bens,” as the father and son came to be known on the trail, would continue until Erwin, Tenn.

At that point, Benjamin would return home to start a new position as an inside sales representative for Great Southern Wood Preserving, Jesup. His father would hike alone.

On the Appalachian Trail, a solo journey doesn’t mean solitude.

“It never got lonely,” Hockensmith says.

When he encountered others, he’d join them. The hikers would sit around and talk, swap stories, and share their trail names. For real-time feedback and information, he came to rely on an app called “Guthooks,” which helped navigate the trail, water sources, towns, and other critical information.

The days settled into a rhythm for “The Ben.” The trail name was both a nod to his given name and his determination, for “ben” also means “mountain.”

Kinsman Mountain New Hampshire

Lemon Squeeze, Carlisle, PA

Suches, GA

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(top) Nesowadnehunk stream (above) A.T. survey marker (right) James River footbridge - the longest foot-

use only bridge on the A.T.

He’d rise before the sun nudged over the ridge, breaking camp before daylight and starting to hike as early as 5 a.m. For the next 12-13 hours, he would put in as many miles as possible, stopping only to eat and sleep.

“I got to camp, settled in, and cooked, and then it was time for bed," he says.

In the beginning, he logged “…about 10 miles a day. Then, before you know it, you’re up to 20 miles.”

Along the way, Hockensmith would ramble off trail for a day or two, exploring towns he knew he’d never see again, catching a ride, restocking supplies.

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Denise, extended family, and cherished friends met him for visits in places along the trail like Cherokee, N.C., Newfound Gap, Tenn., in the Great Smoky Mountains, and in Virginia.

“By the time you get to Virginia, the trail gets a little easier and you’re pumping 20-30 miles a day.”

The outcropping known as McAfee Knob lies about four miles north of Catawba, Va. The most photographed spot on the trail, Hockensmith could

SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

hardly wait to see it for himself.

“You can stand on the end of the outcropping. It was just as beautiful as I thought it would be.”

In contrast, he remembers the miserable, day-long saturating rain that cloaked the Trail’s halfway mark at Harper’s Ferry, W.V. There, a foot bridge traverses the Potomac where it merges with the Shenandoah River. After Harper’s Ferry, he took a couple of days break before setting out again.

“By the time you’re in Pennsylvania, all you’re walking on is rocks.”

Trail hikers refer to the state as “Rocksylvania.” He went through two pair of shoes in Pennsylvania – compared with three for the other 13 states.

Marking his 50th birthday on the Trail, he paused for a two-day visit with his mother and extended family in nearby Gettysburg.

“But Vermont was muddy; my feet stayed wet the whole time. In New Hampshire you slow down.”

In Hanover, N.H., the Trail goes through the Dartmouth College campus.

In recent years, some locals have decided they don’t like hikers walking through town, advocating a re-route of 20-30 miles.

“Hopefully that doesn’t happen,” he says.

Which brings to mind a larger point.

Not all of the trail lies on public land.

“Walking through private land, I’d see the signs that read ‘private property’ and ‘please stay on trail’,” he says. “I walked through pastures, corn fields, and around cattle. I was walking through backyards.”

One night, he slept in a man’s barn, where either work or donations were accepted for a place to stay.

“That was the best part, meeting people on the way, ‘Trail Angels,’ people trying to help you out,” he says.

New Hampshire’s White Mountains can be treacherous. For the last 500 miles of the trek, he and two other thru-hikers, Tank and RALI (retired and loving it), stuck together the whole way. Harder to

Hockensmith’s experience of the Appalachian Trail may lead to his next adventure - possibly the Pacific Crest Trail, in 2022.

(left) Ben with his family

after completion of the hike at Mt. Katahdin in the background.

explain is another memorable spot that has no name, but from which Mount Katahdin can be clearly seen in the distance.

“Standing there on that rock, you could see Mount Katahdin, still 3-4 days worth of hiking. You could see the last mountain that you were going to climb to get to the top.”

He, Tank and RALI each stood there with tears in our eyes, he recalls.

“I never thought I would cry on the Trail,” he says. “But the trail changes people.”

Hockensmith’s family, and close friend, Joe Hightower, flew up to Maine so that Benjamin and Taylor could take the 5-mile hike to the top of Mount Katahdin with their father. Five miles straight up, Taylor realized she had

underestimated the climb. Nonetheless, she kept pace with her father and brother as best she could.

“He walked up there, tears in his eyes, filled with overwhelming emotion that he finished what he set out to do,” she says. “He made me the proudest daughter I could be.”

Hockensmith’s experience of the Appalachian Trail may lead to his next adventure - possibly the Pacific Crest Trail, in 2022. For those who wish to make their own dreams a reality, he offers one message for the journey: “You can do it.”

Sherri L. McLendon, M.A., (sherrimclendon.com), is a freelance writer and content marketing professional with Professional Moneta International, Atlanta. |WM

(above) Ben with his son and daughter at the top of Mt. Katahdin.

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Wayne County Commissioners

serving you and working with you to make Wayne County the premier place to live, work, and play in Southeast Georgia.

Growing Wayne County by improving roads and transit, increasing public safety, enhancing the quality of life, capitalizing on the natural resources, and preparing for economic growth.

Commissioner Kevin McCrary (District 2), Commissioner Herchell Hires (District 1), Commissioner James Thomas (District 4), Commissioner Ralph Hickox (District 5), Commissioner Mike Roberts (District 3)

912-427-5900

341 East Walnut Street • Jesup, GA 31546 www.waynecountyga.us 54

SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

miracles AMID THE AFTERMATH STORY BY CANDEE HARRIS

April 13, 2020,

STARTED DIFFERENTLY THAN MOST DAYS IN ODUM, GEORGIA. AS DAYLIGHT BEGAN TO DAWN, THE SKY REMAINED DARK AND DREARY – AN OMINOUS SIGN OF THINGS TO COME.

O

n Walter Street in downtown Odum, Sam Griffis woke up earlier than usual that Monday morning – around 5 a.m. Having seen weather reports the previous night about possible bad weather in nearby Alma, where her grandparents live, she was on high alert. Her husband, Bryan, was up soon after, and they discussed Sam's concerns. About an hour later, their children, Kate, Ella, and Ari, were awake and up even though there was no school that day due to the COVID virus. A strange day indeed!

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They continued to monitor the weather until about 7 a.m., with the rain beginning to fall and the wind whipping outside.

The kids decided they would be best off in the large walk-in closet designated for such times and ran for cover. Sam and Bryan continued watching the scene outside through their back patio doors when suddenly their heavy, solid wood Adirondack chairs began sliding across the patio as if they were mere toys!

At this point, the couple looked at each other in disbelief and quickly joined the kids in the closet. As they all sat quietly

listening, Sam remembers hearing a sound that she described as the hum of a train. And then it was over. In just five minutes, it had come and gone, and the world was quiet again.

As they made their way out of their refuge to see what had transpired, everything seemed surreal. The beautiful white vinyl fence they had just finished installing two weeks earlier was now in pieces – panels and planks strewn across the back yard and down the street. The children's large wooden playset was now slammed against the back of their next-door neighbor's house. And their trampoline was gone. They eventually found it hanging in a nearby tree, 30 feet up in the air.

Thankful for their safety, the surreal feeling became shockingly realistic as they walked up their street, seeing neighbors wandering around looking lost and traumatized as they all assessed the damage that had destroyed pieces of their lives, homes, and neighborhood. At the end of their street, a vacant house had shifted, completely off of its foundation, and was twisted, facing a different direction. Large trees and broken limbs blocked the streets, and neighbors gathered to check on each other and begin the massive cleanup effort.

A block away on Maggie Street, Demi Edenfield was sound asleep at home with her children, Eli (4) and Emma (2), just before the tornado hit, while her husband Chris was at work.

Her mom, Emily Roberson, kept calling until she reached Demi and urgently told her to "get the kids and leave; go to Chris' parents' house next door as quickly as possible." Demi, known by family and friends as being frightened by bad weather, called her in-laws to tell them she and the kids were coming over. Now safe in their grandparents’ house, the kids fell fast asleep. Demi was listening to the weather when suddenly the power went off.

LEFT: Sam Griffis, her husband, Bryan and their

children, Kate, Ella, and Ari

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SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

She quickly ran to her children sleeping in bed, used her body to shield them, and began praying as the house rum­bled and roared, then became eerily quiet.

It was then that her father-in-law, Frenchey Edenfield, noticed a tree that appeared to have fallen beside Chris and Demi's house. From their view out of the master bedroom window, it first seemed to have only brushed by the home. However, after further inspection, the unthinkable became a reality. The tornado had actually ripped the huge oak tree out of the ground, slamming it down dead center on Demi and Chris' home, liter-

ally cutting the house in half and destroying it completely. Demi immediately called Chris at work to let him know a tree had fallen on their home, and he left work as soon as the warning was lifted. When he arrived, they just stood together, frozen in time, staring in disbelief at the destruction that had been their home an hour ago.

amazed!

In the aftermath, Demi shared on Facebook her thoughts of gratitude for her friends and family as well as those who had come to their aid.

"After a shower, some much-needed rest, and snuggles with my little family, I've spent the night reflecting on what happened... I feel so many emotions, but overall...I AM AMAZED. I am amazed at God's protection, His timing, His love for us. Amazed at how he kept speaking to my mom to be persistent to keep calling me and telling me to get the kids and leave to go to my in-laws' house. Amazed at how fast my in-laws responded out of a dead sleep to get us safely in their home. I am amazed at the power of the tornado. Amazed how fast our lives have been completely changed.

Amazed at how quickly people came to our rescue. Amazed how many people immediately started praying for us. Amazed at the tremendous amount of people... police, fire, EMS, so many businesses, my pastors and church family, friends, family members, and most of all, complete strangers came to help us. Without any hesitation, without wanting anything out of it, without ever stopping, even without worrying about the Coronavirus!

AMAZED is just one word that stuck out to me. I have no words to share the gratitude in my heart for everyone that came together and helped, fed us, prayed for us, came to see us, messaged, and called...both of our jobs have been such a blessing to us, graciously giving to our family in our time of need."

Demi Edenfield LEFT: Demi Edenfield , her husband Chris and their children, Eli and Emma

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Across town on Hires Avenue, Robbin Manners was also up early that morning watching the weather reports and saw that the tornado was in nearby Surrency, only 15 miles away.

And in what seemed like just minutes, it was literally in her back yard. Robbin's sister, Rhonda Trull, was just yards away in her home asleep. Rhonda recounted her memories of the day.

"My first memory of the event was standing outside my home, looking around and thinking, 'I'm cold.' In response, she headed back to the house and pulled a blanket out from under the rubble, still not comprehending that her home was destroyed.

Reality wasn't clicking yet. She got in her car to leave but didn't have her keys. Her brother Rick pulled up about that time and convinced her to come with him to Robbin's house. They assessed her injuries, which included a bad gash on her left leg along with other abrasions and scratches as well as shock. They called for an ambulance, and Rick fetched his backhoe to push

RIGHT:

Robbin Manners and Rhona Trull

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fallen trees off the street so the ambulance could get through to treat Rhonda. Once at the hospital, she was also diagnosed with severe bruising diagonally across her chest that she found would take weeks to heal. She was told by medical personnel that it appeared a board or lumber had struck her, and had it landed just an inch lower, the impact would have been directly on her heart and most likely would have killed her.

Once Rhonda returned from the emergency room that afternoon, the harsh reality of her loss became apparent. She had no home. She told Robbin that although she'd been through some tough times in her life, she had never been homeless.

The thought was devastating. Robbin quickly assured her that as long as she and Rick were around, Rhonda would, of course, never be homeless. As comforting as that was, it didn't change the fact that her world was changed. Forever. Everything she had worked for had been destroyed. Pictures, music recordings – namely the only one she had of her mother, Rick, and herself – were never to be seen or heard again. Her beloved 1865 Adams piano was gone in the blink of an eye. And though she had not realized it earlier in her state of shock and confusion, her 5-pound, 14-year-old companion Cleopatra (Queen of the Nile) had also been missing. The tiny Chihuahua was found trapped in rubble with a 2 x 4 piece of lumber pinning her little head down. Once rescued, Cleo emerged unscathed and ecstatic to be reconnected with her human!

Robbin recounted how she initially felt guilty about not calling Rhonda to tell her of the tornado coming their way. However, in retrospect, she realized that if she had done so, Rhonda would have gotten up out of bed to answer the phone in the den and very likely would have been caught up in the worst of the tornado's chaos as it swept through the house.

As the sisters began talking about the outcome of the

Yes, Monday, April 13, 2020,

started out as a bad day. But the people of Odum and the surrounding area chose to be thankful. Thankful for no deaths. Thankful for all the miracles that God performed.

experience, they began recounting miracle upon miracle that God orchestrated that day. First, Rhonda knew nothing of the impending disaster. She was sleeping soundly in her bed.

That was unusual because as a self-professed night owl, most nights Rhonda stayed up late working and often fell asleep in her recliner in the den. But around 3:00 a.m., Cleo wanted to go outside. After they came back in, Rhonda decided to call it a night and go to bed. What became quickly obvious in looking back was that had she fallen asleep in the den that night, she would have most likely been tossed around like a rag doll and killed when her home was picked up and flipped three times, coming to rest over 200 yards away from its foundation. Robbin explained that based on the location of the mattress, and the indentations in the ground where the house had landed on its journey, it appeared that the house had continued to flip.

Rhonda and her mattress were ejected through the window under which the bed had been placed. In a twist of irony, the new porch that had just been built weeks earlier was in nearly perfect condition except that it had been ripped away from the house. As the sisters told their story, it was endearing to witness

their love for each other and their never-end­ing commitment to always care for each other no matter the circumstances.

After the tornado spiraled through downtown Odum, it hopped, skipped, and jumped its way over toward Walter Griffis Road and Tank Road, continuing its devastation to everything in its path. Residents on Hyma Poppell Loop and other nearby areas suffered extensive property damage in some cases, but thankfully no serious injuries.

Yes, Monday, April 13, 2020, started out as a bad day. But the people of Odum and the surrounding area chose to be thankful.

Thankful for no deaths. Thankful for all the miracles that God performed. Thankful for all of their neighbors from near and far who came forward to help pick up the pieces. Thankful for the amazing efforts of the utility companies, local emergency management personnel, and neighboring City of Jesup and City of Screven employees who kept showing up, day after day, to assist in cleanup with their equipment and muscle until it was finished. And though they hope and pray never to have this happen again, they now know that miracles do happen and God is in control. |WM WAYNE MAGAZINE

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SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

532 Plant Avenue, Waycross, GA

(912) 342‐7820 (912) 387‐2079 ‐ Fax

685 Kingsbay Road Sainty Marys, GA 31558

(912) 882‐7227 (912) 882‐8827 ‐ Fax

2020-2021

13

FAMILY…

CREATED BY

ABOVE: Adriannia, Jared, Stevie, Wesley, Madison, Jada, Alyssa

Photo by Miss Magnolia Soul Photography

Love

NOT

STORY BY MELISSA MOXLEY

GENETICS

D

ave Thomas, the founder of Wendy’s, once said, “Every child deserves a home and love. Period.” He should know, Dave was adopted at a very young age. If it were not for those willing to love, protect, and give security to children that were not biologically theirs, the world may have missed out on extreme greatness. Imagine if there had never been a John Hancock, Steve Jobs, Nelson Mandela, Edgar Allan Poe, Babe Ruth, Leo Tolstoy, or Louis Armstrong. These great minds, athletes, musicians, and leaders may have never reached their full potential without the love, kindness, and generosity of a distant relative or, in some cases, a stranger. Family is a rich soil that nurtures and allows talents to grow.

Some people wait for years to get the opportunity to adopt a child. They deal with the ups and downs of red tape and hope deferred before realizing their long-awaited dreams of holding a child in their arms. Then there are those who open their home because they are presented with a child(ren) in need. Such is the case for Stevie and Jada Martin. They had three children. The oldest, Jared, was grown and on his own. Their middle child, Wesley, had just left a few days earlier for college, and Adriana, the baby of the family, was a teenager.

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ABOVE: Wesley, Madison, Jada, Alyssa LEFT: Logan, Michael, and Susan Graham

They were just a few years away from being empty nesters. In fact, they had already begun to picture what their lives would look like once Adriana headed off to college. The house would be uncharacteristically quiet; maybe they would get to travel more and do some of the things they had put off while raising their family. However, all that changed in August of 2015, when Jada’s mother, Susan Graham, called.

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SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

Jada describes her mom as “a person who always goes above and beyond. She is always looking for a worthwhile project.” On this hot summer day, Susan received a phone call from Leonard Berry, a neighbor and family friend. He had stopped by Walmart earlier in the day and saw a lady with two young girls in the parking lot. They were holding a sign saying that they needed help. Leonard offered to get them something to eat. He called Susan, who contacted her church, Calvary Baptist, and got them settled into a hotel for the week. After introductions, the girls (Madison-age 11 and Alyssa-age 7) went to Susan’s house. That is when Jada got the phone call from her mom. Susan wanted Jada to take the girls clothes shopping for school and get them haircuts. Jada did, and the girls were so excited that they wanted to stop by the hotel to show their mother. The girls asked if they could have a sleepover at Jada’s house, and their mom allowed them. Someone later contacted the Department of Family and Children’s Services to check on Madison and Alyssa. Ms. Margaret McRae, the DFCS Investigator, spoke with the mom, who decided to sign the children over to Jada for 45 days until she could get settled.

Jada remembers, “Margaret met me and told me that the mother had just signed over temporary custody to me. I was floored and said, ‘I need to call my husband!’” Stevie too was

A F R I E N D F I N A L LY A S K E D M E , ‘J A D A , C A N YO U L I V E W I T H N O T KNOWING WHERE THEY ARE AND HOW THEY ARE D O I N G ? ’ T H AT WA S T H E M O M E N T T H AT I K N E W ; THEY WERE MEANT TO BE WITH US.

Madison & Alyssa Martin Photo by Miss Magnolia Soul Photography

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ABOVE: Jada Martin and Curtis Bean

completely caught off guard but told Jada to do what she wanted. “I went home and cleaned out our bonus room for Madison and Alyssa. When it became obvious that the girls would be with us for a while, we began taking foster parenting classes in Vidalia. It took us months to finish the classes, so we received no financial help during that time. We were back and to in court, taking the girls to monitored visits and helping them get enrolled and caught up in school. But all this time, I was still thinking that this was a temporary situation. Eighteen or so months after they came to live with us was their final court date. I kept thinking, who will get the girls? Will a family member step up? Will they go into the system? A few days before court, I think that I was still in denial. A friend finally asked me, ‘Jada, can you live with not knowing where they are and how they are doing?’ That was the moment that I knew; they were meant to be with us. The girls had become attached to our entire surroundings. My church, Calvary Baptist, my neighbors (by this time Mr Leonard had become like a grandpa to them), and their schoolteachers at Jesup Elementary, ALL these people had taken Madison and Alyssa under their wings.”

They had not just found the stability of the Martin’s home, but an entire community of people who loved and cared for them.

Jada recalls, “Michelle Beverly, who was a DFCS Resource Officer, gave me an adoption book for the State of Georgia. All the children in there were over the age of ten. Nobody wants to adopt older children. It had been a long 18 or so months. If it were not for Margaret, Michelle, and Beth Lartz, our CASA

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SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

Worker, I don’t know what we would have done. There were so many ‘God’ moments through out this whole process that let us know in the end that we were doing the right thing. Margaret started this journey with us as the DFCS Investigator but transferred sometime during those long months to the Adoption Department. So, she was there in the beginning when we got Madison and Alyssa and was with us at the end when we officially adopted the girls on April 24, 2018. Madison and I share the same middle name and birthday. My grandmother always loved the name, Paige. She begged all her granddaughters to use the name. For some reason, none of us did. Guess what Alyssa’s middle name is…Paige. Madison is currently a sophomore at Wayne County High, and Alyssa is in sixth grade at Arthur Williams Middle School. Both girls are great students and love to travel.

If the story ended with Stevie and Jada going from three children to five, that would be extraordinary. However, Jada’s sister and brother in law, Jill Poppell, and her husband also have adopted. Jada’s mother and father, Michael and Susan Graham, have an adopted child, too. Jada’s extended family has several children that are currently being or have been raised by the Howard Family. Jada says her grandmother, Mary Howard, was the first to take in someone. Susan was a volunteer at Wayne Service Center in 1988. Curtis Bean was a 23-year-old mentally handicap young man that needed somewhere to stay.

Mary had recently lost her husband and agreed to help until Curtis could be placed somewhere else in a few weeks. Curtis is now 55 and lived with the family until three years ago when he had to go to Harborview Nursing Home because of health issues. The family still visits and looks after him. If you ask him his name, he will tell you Curtis Bean-Howard. Jada’s uncle, Bruce Howard, has a saying that is known throughout the family. “You’re not a Howard unless you are toting around someone else’s youngin on your hip!” This family stretches their homes to match the size of their hearts.

Currently, adoptions are down in the United States. There are approximately 428,000 children in foster care, and only around 135,000 are adopted each year. This number has decreased from its height of 175,000 adoptions in the 1970s. Sixty percent of children in foster care spend two to five years in the system.

Some are never adopted. (https://adoptionnetwork.com/adoption-statistics). These statistics bear witness to the grace and selflessness of people like Stevie, Jada, Jill, Mary, and Susan.

They are not content to just look at a problem with sympathetic eyes, but instead are willing to be proactive in the solution.

Family is one of the greatest gifts that we could ever receive. It is not just a group of people who share similar DNA, but instead, share love and respect for one another. There is a quote by an unknown author that says, “Having somewhere to go is home.

Having someone to love is family. Having both is a blessing.”

Thankfully, the Howard Family has been a source of blessings to many. |WM

WHAT IS PHYSICAL THERAPY?

P

hysical therapy is the link between being "non-functional" vs "functional". Simply put, physical therapy is a conservative treatment approach that allows you to be able to do things again that you could not before. For example, being able to reach into cabinets without pain, throw a baseball without pain, or even bending over to pick up objects without pain. Are you having difficulty with walking, or have falls in the past? Are you having headaches that do not let up while at work or home?

your condition first. Once this is established, you are on the road to recovery.

At SMART, we heavily rely on oneon-one patient care through several treatment options to give you the absolute best visit each time. We are trained in advanced manual therapy skills, spinal manipulation, dry needling, and various forms of exercise. Each treatment is built off of years of research performed within our profession.

We treat headaches, vertigo

Remember it’sback your choice (dizziness), pain, neck pain, on where to go for your balance disorders, and sports Physical Therapy needsrelated - Choose SMART Physical injuries to name a few.

Therapy and give us a call!

All too often, it seems the common "quick fix" is pain medication, or any medication for that matter.

If you have pain or a limitation, then why would medication be the only fix? Your body is telling you something for a reason. At SMART, we work hard at finding where your pain is coming from, why you have a weakness, and/or why you are having balance or walking difficulties. We believe that the first step in healing is understanding

Garrett Pye, PT, Certiied D.N. • Voted Wayne County's Favorite 2019 and 2020 Here at SMART Physical Therapy, We take what is not normal and make it normal again. Give us a call anytime if you have questions regarding your health. Our doors are always open.

We accept all major insurance, Medicare, Medicare HMOs & Worker’s Compensation

Justin Garrett Pye, PT Physical Therapist Dry Needling | Spinal Manipulation

Remember, it’s your choice on where to go for your Physical Therapy needs – Choose SMART Physical Therapy and give us a call!

VOTED WAYNE COUNTY’S FAVORITE 2019 & 2020 | 4 LOCATIONS TO CONVENIENTLY SERVE YOU: 360 Peachtree St Jesup, GA 31545 (912) 559-2071

2003 Alice St. Ste A Waycross, GA 31501 (912) 285-0053

1891 Hwy. 40E Unit 1104 Kingsland, GA 31547 (912) 522-8404

301 Pine View Drive Waycross, GA 31501 (912) 285-2361

Clayton Conner, PT, DPT, OCS Physical Therapist Dr. Of Physical Therapy Othopedic Clinical Specialist Dry Needling | Spinal Manipulation

Sam Baker Physical Therapy Tech

Nick Child, PTA Physical Therapist Assistant

Joy Wilson Office Manager

WAYNE MAGAZINE

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I WENT COASTAL! “I started at Coastal Pines in high school as a Dual enrollment student. Working with my father in the HVAC field, coupled with knowing the demand for skilled trade workers solidified my choice for continuing my education at Coastal Pines” JORDAN ANDERSON 2018 GRAD GENERAL MANAGER- AC GUYS

www.coastalpines.edu

877-332-8682

Waycross | Jesup | Golden Isles | Camden Alma | Baxley | Hazlehurst 66

SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

Story by MELBA MURPHY

IT’S A

FAMILY AFFAIR

Bill, Keri, Robert, Andrew, William Headley at Robert’s Eagle Scout induction ceremony.

"Family traditions counter alienation and confusion. They help us define who we are; they provide something steady, reliable, and safe in a confusing world."

Susan Lieberman

F

or the Bill Headley family, family tradition means three generations of Eagle Scouts and more than 70 combined years of being trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. Robert Headley, Bill's youngest son, was the latest Headley to earn the title of Eagle Scout, but he's following a long-standing family tradition.

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"I've drawn on my scouting experiences, even as an adult. And I wanted my sons to have that opportunity." – Bill Headley, Jr.

Bill's father, William V. "Big Bill" Headley, Sr., age 85, became an Eagle Scout in 1950; Bill, Jr. in 1980; and sons followed the family tradition, eldest son William in 2014; middle son Andrew in 2018, and youngest Robert in 2020. Each of these men found adventure, fun, character, confidence, leadership development, and family unity and direction within the Boy Scouts of America.

Not to be left out, Bill's wife Keri Headley served as a den mother for two younger sons, enjoyed scout-related family trips and the intangible rewards of scout training that enriched her sons' lives and character.

Dr. William "Bill" V. Headley, Jr., owner of Headley Family Medicine, is a native of Newnan, Georgia and graduated from Georgia Tech in 1984 and the Medical College of Georgia in 1999. He served as a flight officer in the U.S. Navy from 1984 through 1994. Before scouting reached the third generation, it was already a family affair with Bill's father, "Big Bill." Bill's brothers Mitchell, Matthew, and Luke, four first cousins, and a great uncle all achieved the status of Eagle Scout. The family patriarch did not mandate participation in Boy Scouts, but as Bill says,

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"it was a self-imposed obligation to follow in Dad's steps." Bill, Jr. became a Boy Scout at age 12 and an Eagle Scout in 1980. Musing on his own sons following in the family tradition, he adds that, "I've drawn on my scouting experiences, even as an adult. And I wanted my sons to have that opportunity."

Keri Headley, who married Bill in 1991 and works with him in their medical practice, attests to the socialization skills which reinforce family and church guidance and training. "Scouting has been a favorite activity for me that has led our family on trips and other adventures, applying learned skills and principles of good citizenship and teambuilding in our family setting." Early application of scout training came when William, at age 8, came home to announce that he had just seen the non-poisonous king snake, a doppelganger to the very poisonous coral snake. "How did you know it wasn't the deadly snake?" asked his parents. With confidence, William replied, "Red touches yellow, kills a

SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

ABOVE: At the Eagle Scout ceremony, each son presented a Eagle Mom pin and an Eagle Dad Pin to their parents. Bill, Jr. also got two mentor pins, as did one of the boys' uncles.

fellow," a mnemonic device that he learned in Cub Scouts to differentiate between the two kinds of snakes.

Lord Robert Baden-Powell (18471941), originator of the worldwide Scout movement, referred to scouting as a "game with a purpose." Part of the game was life in the outdoors, where Baden-Powell found a place to apply his belief that "An invaluable step in character training is putting responsibility on the individual."

Translated into the Headley home, this meant planning, preparing, and executing a 17-mile canoe trip, a camping trip in Shenandoah, West Virginia, or even something as simple as establishing a family home evacuation plan or family first aid kit. It was in 2017 on the family trip in West Virginia where Keri says, "I first got to see all three boys efficiently and independently putting their

ABOVE: A display of Robert’s scouting experiences through the years provided a glimpse of the energy and passion it takes to attain the rank of Eagle Scout.

LEFT: Robert credits friends,

as well as his parents and brothers, such as, Nick Ellis, Ki Riddle, and Mac Cooper for their unselfish commitment to his goal.

(Mark Ogden, Mac Cooper, Nick Ellis, Robert Headley, Ki Riddle, Wade Johnson)

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Three generations of Headley Eagle Scouts: Grandfather "Big Bill" Headley Sr. , his four sons, Luke, Mitch, Bill Jr. (left) and Matt (far right), and three grandsons, Robert, Andrew, and William.

learned skills into action‌ pitching a solid tent, building an effective fire, and locating water. It was really cool to see."

The Boy Scout Organization presents a series of achievable hurdles and pathways to overcome them through the advancement method.

Each of the Headleys moved through Scout's ranks (formerly Cub Scout), Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and then Eagle Scout. The acquisition of the rank of Eagle Scout is not simply the next logical step for the 2.3 million Boy Scouts of today.

Since its beginning in 1911, only four percent of Scouts earned the rank of Eagle. The extended Headley family is now in the company of President Gerald R. Ford, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Film Director Steven Spielberg, four Nobel Prize laureates, 11 Medal of Honor recipients, 40 astronauts, and many members of Congress, past and present.

The present lives, interests, and

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even occupational goals of the three Headley sons reflect the influence of the merit badges, a primary achievement and motivation, but also the acquired intrinsic traits of self-reliance, confidence, self-esteem, service, and good citizenship.

The eldest son, William Headley, age 24, is a graduate of Georgia Southern University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He draws a correlation between his degree and the skill of fire building, where he focused on the intricacies of starting with something small and constructing the overlays with precision.

William reflects that, "Engineering is a lot like that. Nothing happens at once, and it takes attention to small details and small, incremental steps to achieve your ultimate goal." Like his brothers, his swimming merit badge developed an interest that led to membership on the high school swimteam. His Personal Finance merit badge led to a current passion, the stock market. "When we were

SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

about 12, a CPA came in and gave us lessons which I only later drew upon," says William. His interests in flying and scuba diving he also attributes to the exposure to nature found in scouting.

Middle son Andrew professes that he genuinely appreciated the impact of scouting looking backward after becoming an Eagle Scout. "When you're achieving a rank, it is hard to enjoy and appreciate the moment," he says. "Now, I have had time to reflect on who I am and the true intentions of scouting and my parents' and grandparents' belief in the program." His Fishing merit badge was one example of the continued influence and development of a skill you learn. "I love the outdoors, and while anyone in these parts can throw a line in a river or pond, I took my Dad's BSA fishing manual and studied with him the mechanics of catching, cleaning, and cooking fish."

Andrew found implementation of learned boy scout skills in another

way. Part of advancement to Eagle Scout is a one-year service in a leadership position. Andrew served as Quartermaster, the troop's supply boss, which includes inventorying and managing equipment and food supplies. Later, Andrew would use these skills when he served as his college fraternity Tailgate Chair.

Asked about his own use of Boy Scout skills, "Dr." Bill smiles as he answers, "Well, one of my badges was First Aid and I later became a First Aid Instructor. That background, and not a degree in electrical engineering, led me to my present occupation."

Andrew and younger brother Robert agreed that a scouting trip to New Mexico in 2017 was a highlight of their Boy Scout Experience. On a 14-day trip, they hiked more than 120 brutal miles where the elevation went from 6,000 to 12,00 feet. "Robert and I, in a group of 8, were the only non-Eagle Scouts. And yet, he and I were the only ones who knew how to do stuff." Andrew credits Scoutmaster Bob Nash for "pushing us to really achieve and master our skills, and

not just checking us off".

Youngest brother Robert, 18, enthusiastically echoes the sentiment of his older brothers when it comes to the immense knowledge and personal growth which scouting afforded him. A self-professed "shy kid," he attributes scouting, working in small, supportive groups, and taking on responsibilities as a patrol leader or chaplain with giving him confidence, leadership skills, and abilities to communicate and deal with people. Armed with these traits, he went on to participate in high school student council, Chairman of the Junior Bank, Student Body Treasurer, and Captain of the Swim Team. Working with City Manager Mike Deal, Robert developed and implemented a plan to clean up the Milikin Greenway Nature Trail as part of his community service requirement for Eagle Scout.

Mastery of this project required that Robert operated in a position of leadership and influence, getting others to participate in the project.

He credits his parents and brothers, Nick Ellis, and friends Ki Riddle

and Mac Cooper for their unselfish commitment to this goal. "My best memories are associated with the Boy Scout experience, and I'd recommend it to anyone," says Robert.

The Headley family's collective experiences in Boy Scouts have given them a unity, purpose, focus, and family tradition that many families struggle to find. Focusing on the "little things" of mastering a skill, achieving a rank, or feeling comfortable in the out-of-doors, they were, in reality, achieving greater things, including the acquiring of character and the molding of admirable and well-grounded young men.

Robert summed it up when he said, "I had always wanted to be an Eagle Scout, I thought it was the coolest. But, on a subconscious level, I also didn't want to be the one to let down the family name."

Will Rogers, humorist, and social commentator, once said, "The only problem with Boy Scouts is, there aren't enough of them." He might have amended that or have been comforted if he had only known the Headley dynasty of Boy Scouts. |WM

The Headley family's collective experiences in Boy Scouts have given them a unity,­ purpose, focus, and family tradition that many families struggle to find.

Robert, along with his brothers, were involved in scouting through their entire boyhood.

Keri (back row, right) was involved and served as Den Mother for Andrew and Robert but was supportive and involved in all of their scouting activities.

Three of the scouts in this photo were at Robert’s induction ceremony (Mark Ogden, Ki Riddle, Wade Johnson).

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SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

P PROFILES

YOUR GUIDE TO WAYNE COUNTY ’S PEOPLE, PLACES, AND BUSINESSES

COURTNEY ASHLEY BE POSITIVE ON PURPOSE

Courtney is a graduate of Georgia Southern University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

She recently completed an online course (Entrepreneurship in an Emerging Economy) from Harvard University. A 2007 graduate of Wayne County High School, Courtney is a member of the Leadership Wayne class of 2018-2019 and has completed the Georgia Economic Development training course.

Courtney Ashley

is a confident, self-assured, and determined young woman. However, she wasn’t always that way. Instead of allowing self-doubt and uncertainty to control her, she took control of her life and decided to be positive on purpose!

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Courtney & Jonathan Ashley with their children, Ethan and Cori.

IN 74

2014, Courtney was going through a tough transition after graduating from college. She was unsure what direction to follow and had no idea what she wanted to do with her life. Dealing with "depression, low self-esteem, and insecurities," the one thing she was sure of was that she would not continue down that path.

"I knew I didn't want to wake up every morning feeling like that. So, I decided to begin focusing on doing things that made me feel good," Courtney explained. She began serving in her church, participating in community events, and performing random acts of kindness. She quickly realized that the more good things she did for others, the more reasons she found to feel good about each day.

“I knew that my habits and thinking would require intentional actions to move from a negative perspective to a positive one.

That’s when I realized that had to be ‘positive on purpose,’” Courtney explained.

SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

SELF IMPROVEMENT

P

“ s

I wrote Be Positive on Purpose to share with others my personal experience and living with a negative space and my journey to a more positive lifestyle.”

“Be Positive on Purpose is a book that takes you on a bold and courageous journey to uncover toxic environments and behaviors. Negativity is common but also replaceable. Dive into this book if you are ready for positive challenges that will change the way you think, speak, and treat other people.”

The book can be ordered at amazon.com (Books / Self-Help / Personal Transformation)

But she didn't stop there. She thought that if this "positive on purpose" lifestyle helped her, it might help others, so she wrote a book about it.

“I wrote Be Positive on Purpose to share with others my personal experience and living with a negative space and my journey to a more positive lifestyle," Courtney emphasized. The book is interactive and challenges others to perform random acts of kindness and perform self-checks and a self-evaluation to remove "subtle negativity and toxicity from their everyday life."

“My hope is that communities will be changed by those that complete these challenges. I imagine walking in our local grocery store and regularly seeing someone offer to pay for someone else’s groceries. Or people coming together to help elderly people and disable veterans with household chores. Or passing out flowers or water bottles to people on the street,” Courtney explained.

Courtney is not naïve enough to believe these random acts of kindness will just happen. She knows that negative thoughts cannot go away completely. She does believe they can be replaced with positive thoughts but only if individuals decide to be positive on purpose.

In addition to being an author, Courtney created a financial course called "Budget Buddy" that she teaches at women's shelters in Baxley and Waycross. "Through this course, I have been able to help women that battle poverty, domestic violence, and homelessness by setting financial goals and creating and managing a monthly budget which helps lead them to financial independence," she explained.

“I hope everyone that reads this book and completes the positive challenges will cause an increase of positivity in our communities,” Courtney said. |WM

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Thank you Wayne County and

Welcome Lillian Rae Crandall!

our patients for your suuort in

welcoming our newest family member

Jaxson Edward Crandaa

Cataract Surgery Eye Exams Laser Surgery Cataract Surgery Retina LaserTreatments Surgery Cosmetic Retina Treatments Glasses Cosmetic Contacts Glasses Contacts Two Locations to Serve You: 136 W. Cherry Street Jesup, GA 31545

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It’s not easy to keep it all together.

But with AFCU on your side, it can be easier.

AFCU is always looking for ways to help you with your financial needs in the best way possible.

We’ll help you keep more of what you earn, and make the most of what you have.

Jesup | Ludowici | Screven 76

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Stop by & see

the good we can do for you.

JAMES BOYKIN'S ENDURING Photos provided by THE FAMILY

legacy James W. Boykin died in October 2019, at the age of 80 years old. But, he left a legacy in business and of service to the community that will long endure.

Most known for the business he owned and managed for decades, Boykin Erectors, James Boykin was originally from Savannah. After serving the U.S. Army after high school, he returned to Savannah, where he joined Steel Erectors as their crane mechanic and crane operator. In 1972, his father, James "Earl" Boykin, started Boykin Erectors to support a major expansion at Rayonier. Boykin commuted from Savannah to Jesup to help his Dad on nights and weekends for over a year before finally moving his wife, Loretta, and four children to join the family's business.

After the death of his father (Earl) in 1974, Boykin became president of Boykin Erectors. He grew it from a small handful of employees in a 2,500 square foot building to well over 100 employees with a crane division, steel

Boykin with his grandson, Max, at Bill Morris Park.

fabrication shop, carpenter/millwright division, and a steel erection company.

WAYNE MAGAZINE

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ENDURING

legacy

"My Dad loved his family and friends unconditionally and was the most respected man I ever knew. Just imagine John Wayne, General Patton, Dean Martin, Don Rickles, and a little bit of Jack Nicklaus rolled into one. You knew where you stood with him, and if he didn't like something or thought you could do better, he didn't hesitate to let you know, which is a rarity these days. People just assumed he was a wealthy man because he owned a business, but in reality, what he earned he gave away to others to help them.

However, he was incredibly wealthy in terms of friendships and relationships with so many people in Wayne County and across Georgia. I can say this now that he has passed, but I don't know of anyone that genuinely gave so much to Wayne County and others while always avoiding recognition for it.

He also earned a reputation for his honesty, integrity, and putting others first. "His word was his bond, and his integrity was never questioned," Jimbo explained. "He created an James and Loretta's family at Griffin's high school graduation.

amazing family atmosphere at his company that is rare in

BOTTOM: A younger James Boykin at Boykin Steel and

"My dad strongly believed that everyone deserved a second

TOP:

Crane.

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business. He also believed in giving people second chances. chance and helped countless others by giving them a job

SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

"JAMES BOYKIN WAS VERY INSTRUMENTAL IN GETTING ME INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES IN 1999.

HE SAID COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT WAS THE MOST SATISFYING AND REWARDING THING YOU CAN EVER DO. YOU LOOK AROUND THE COMMUNITY AND SEE SO MANY THINGS MR. B HAS DONE OR HELPED MAKE HAPPEN. HE WAS A COMMUNITY AMBASSADOR WHOSE LEGACY WILL FOREVER BE REMEMBERED." - MAYOR DAVID EARL KEITH

other improvements that benefitted his employees. He served as a trustee on several union pension and health and welfare fund committees due to his strong belief in supporting workers. During tough economic times, he refused to lay off good people when many other businesses were reducing their labor force. when they had nowhere else to turn and helped them to provide for their families."

Boykin's commitment to doing the

He was a mentor to his peers and built what many would call "the most respected company in the industry" due to his

right thing never wavered. Mike Burch, a

unwavering commitment to "doing the right

former general manager of Rayonier who

thing" and surrounding himself with people

joined the Jesup plant in 1994, said Boykin's

of the strongest character and work ethic.

company truly reflected his personal life

He was more concerned with protecting the

and characteristics. "Mr. James was indeed

company's reputation than merely making

a gentleman, a very astute and successful

a profit.

businessman who epitomized who a busi-

His service extended beyond the busi-

ness owner should be, full of character and

ness world. He actively began investing

integrity, service-oriented, capable and very

in the community as soon as he arrived

committed to the community."

in Jesup in the 1970s. "My dad strongly

Boykin undoubtedly left a strong legacy

believed that he should give back because

in the industry in which he worked his

God had blessed his family and business by

entire career. A legacy of leadership and

keeping his employees safe and always pro-

service for others to follow.

viding the next job when things were slow,"

Besides his family, he felt his first

Jimbo said. It seems he touched almost

commitment should be to his employees.

every aspect of the community in one way

He worked to secure health coverage for

or another and left it better than he found it.

the local carpenters union and countless

There is a long list of places and people

James left a strong legacy in the industry in which he worked for his entire career.

TOP LEFT:

BOTTOM LEFT: On the mound at the WCHS baseball field with grandson, Griffin.

TOP RIGHT: James and Loretta Boykin with the

staff at Georgia Dermatology. James helped convince Georgia Dermatology to open an office in Jesup, and he was their first patient.

They honored him before he died. "Last week, we spent time honoring this amazing man. We reminisced and joked and loved on him. He was by far one of the most generous men God put on this earth. We will miss him greatly, and we are all better people for having his influence in our lives."

"HE WAS BY FAR, ONE OF THE MOST GENEROUS MEN GOD PUT ON THIS EARTH." WAYNE MAGAZINE

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legacy

ENDURING

he helped. He donated cranes, labor, and equipment to churches for projects at no cost. He also helped individuals who were facing hard times.

Joe Ierardi, CEO of Wayne Memorial Hospital, recalls Boykin's support for building a new hospital and a critical conversation in 2004 that helped spark that significant effort. "Mr. James visited me at the hospital, and he talked about how important healthcare was for the future of Wayne County and its citizens. We walked around the

ABOVE: The lake at Bill Morris Park is named for Mr. James Boykin for his longstanding support of recreation in the community.

building and the entire campus. We looked under the building, above ceiling tiles, and in mechanical rooms, leaving no stone unturned. We went back to my office, and he said to me, 'Joseph, we've got to build a new hospital.'" From that point on, there was no

LEFT: Unbeknownst to

bigger champion for building a new hospital

the family, employees of Boykin Steel and Crane provided a fitting tribute to James during his funeral procession.

than James Boykin. He was adamant that it would improve the quality of life in Wayne County," Joe said. "That was always his main priority - improving the quality of life for others. When you coupled that with his 'get it done' mentality, that was exactly why James Boykin was so remarkable. He put others first and made things happen."

One of the areas he is probably best

terms. He was a part of a team that made

daughter-in-law Celia Boykin. "He was

known for supporting is recreation. He drew

considerable improvements to Wayne

'superman strong' yet so tenderly loving to

a strong correlation between a community's

County during that time and was able to

all of us! He loved his family more than any-

recreation program and its citizens' quality

work with everyone. The Wayne County

thing, and he made sure we all knew it daily.

of life. He wanted all kids, regardless of

Touchdown Club presented him with the

Though he battled through many illnesses

their background, to have an opportunity to

"Yellow Jacket Community Service Award"

that left him physically marked that would

participate in the sports programs.

for his years of dedicated service and

hamper anyone's outlook on life, that never

One of his main areas of focus was Bill

contributions to enhancing sports and rec-

stopped him. When my oldest son, Griffin,

Morris Park, the main sports recreation

reation. First Baptist Church honored him

was born, he stood and promised him that

park in the community. He made consider-

in 2019 for his service through the years.

he would live to see all of his grandchildren

able financial donations towards improv-

The Recreation Department named the

grow up and that he did, against many

ing facilities at Bill Morris park, Wayne

lake at Bill Morris Park for him because of

health odds. His strength was incompara-

County schools and Athletic Facilities, local

his "outstanding and selfless acts for Wayne

ble. He loved his children and grandchildren

Churches, non-profit organizations, local

County youth."

with all of his heart and you always knew

governments, and including helping sur-

Many people thought a lot of James

that Papa James was going to be at any ball-

rounding counties. That is a tradition that

Boykin, and his good deeds and selfless acts

game or activity that the kids had. He taught

his company still carries on today.

have touched countless lives. But, at the

me so much more than he will ever know.

end of the day, it's how your family thinks

We are all the better for knowing him." |WM

Boykin also served in key leadership roles in the community, including serving twelve years as a county commissioner and serving as chairman of that body for three

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about you that matters most.

"He was simply far more than a fatherin-law to me. He was a gift from God," said

SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

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SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

COMMUNITY

Cooperating Principles

P

STORY COMPILED BY CANDICE MCKINLEY

Left: Charlie Lovering, VP of Operations, and Jodi Lewis, Jesup Branch Manager, representing Marshland Credit Union; Janice Phillips, Tabitha’s Place founder; Staci Branch, President/ CEO, and Teresa Pittman, Business Development, representing Interstate Credit Union; Cheryl Spires, President/CEO, and Stephen Harvell, VP of Finance, representing Altamaha Federal Credit Union.

“Alone, we can do little; together, we can do so much.”

t

— Helen Keller

his summer, Altamaha Federal Credit Union (AFCU), Interstate Federal Credit Union (IFCU), and Marshland Federal Credit Union (MFCU) of Jesup came together to donate $6,000.00 to help build a bathhouse at Tabitha’s Place, a nonprofit food kitchen that serves over 45,000 plates annually.

The idea was sparked when Tabitha’s Place founder, Janice Phillips, spoke at an area Kiwanis Club meeting about the need to provide a bathhouse for the area’s homeless. AFCU’s Vice President of Finance Stephen Harvell was at that meeting, along with Supervisory Chair Bob Fox. Afterward, they discussed the idea with AFCU President, Cheryl Spires.

Altamaha Federal Credit Union President Cheryl Spires said, “As a not-for-profit financial cooperative, it is important that we uphold the cooperative principles, including the principles of ‘cooperatives working with other cooperatives’ and ‘concern for community.’ AFCU is proud to have pulled together two other local credit unions to make a major impact on Wayne County’s Tabitha’s Place.”

“Stephen mentioned that he would like to see AFCU pitch in to help but knew that the price tag might be too large for us to go alone,” said Cheryl. “Bob mentioned that it would be nice to have the help of the other local credit unions.”

Cheryl agreed and wasted no time in talking with Interstate Credit Union’s

President Stacie Branch and Marshland Credit Union’s President Jeff Holcomb to get them on board. “This project was a great way to showcase the good we can do when we, as credit unions, work together. More importantly, it provides a much-needed resource for those in our area who are homeless,” explained Jeff.

“We are always looking for ways to help the communities in which we serve,” said Stacie. “I was very excited when Cheryl called with the proposal of our local credit unions coming together to help Tabitha’s Place. We at Interstate Credit Union take our responsibility of being a good community partner seriously, and to be able to support a nonprofit that serves some of the most vulnerable residents felt like a win-win for all involved.”

Marshland’s Marketing Manager Chelsey McNicoll coordinated the check presentation of $6,000, representing a contribution of $2,000.00 from each credit union, which was presented to Janice Phillips on July 15 at Tabitha’s Place.

Tabitha’s Place will be working on remodeling the house to provide even more to those in need. “As we continue to expand, contributions are greatly appreciated,” Janice said. For more information about volunteer opportunities, call (912) 256-2113.

Together, Wayne County’s three credit unions showed what is possible when we embrace our cooperative spirit and show concern for our community. |WM

WAYNE MAGAZINE

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SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

HONOR

WAR AND REMEMBRANCE‌.

AND HONOR H

P

Story By MELBA BENNETT MURPHY Photos Provided by Family

T

wice a year, Veterans Day and Memorial Day, America acknowledges and honors those men and women who served, who fought, or who fought and died in the service of the security of the country and its citizens. Today's level of recognition and respect is markedly different from what veterans of the Vietnam War experienced in the wake of their service. For Jesup Vietnam War Veteran Kenny Bryant, participation in the National Honor Flight Network gave him an affirmative closure to his service in the Air Force.

Ralph Kenneth Bryant, a 1966 graduate of Wayne County High School, son of Ralph and Myra Bryant, enlisted in the Air Force in September after graduation. The country was three years away from a draft. Still, the promise of Uncle Sam paying for a college education was appealing to Kenny. He went to basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, then trained in electronics in Biloxi, Mississippi. In April 1969, he was deployed to Da Nang, a.k.a. "Rocket City" in South Vietnam.

Kenny served as an Inertial Navigation Repairman on the 81 F-4s at DaNang. Minimizing the danger when he speaks, Bryant says he worked days in air conditioning, but only because the electronic equipment had to be in air conditioning. On his first day on base, he heard the dreaded siren warning of impending rocket attacks and rushed with others to the bunkers. Deployed for 365 days, two months of which were in South Korea, Kenny returned to his wife, Patti Park Bryant, and his daughter, Lauri, born while he was overseas. Graduating with an accounting degree from Valdosta College, Patti, Kenny, and daughters Brandi and Lauri returned to Jesup, where son, Dallas, was born. Kenny partnered with Derwin Drury and began the CPA firm Bryant and Drury, from which he retired in 2012. Over the years, Bryant served in a myriad of civic leadership roles including being president of the Chamber of Commerce, twotime President of Jesup Rotary Club, President of the Pine Forest WAYNE MAGAZINE

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P

HONOR

Kenny (left in top photos) and Kirby Bryant, his brother, both participated in the Honor Flight. Their sister, Dell Bryant Vincent, and her daughter, Faith Hale, were their Honor Guardians.

Country Club, and an active member and multiple-office holder of the First United Methodist Church where he has taught Sunday School for 49 years.

Several years ago, Kenny became interested in a non-profit organization, the National Honor Flight Network. Their mission statement is "to transport America's veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials dedicated to honoring those who have served and sacrificed for our country." The network, the brainchild of Retired Air Force Captain Earl Morse, began after completion of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. in 2004. Morse realized that many of the WWII veterans he knew from his practice as a Physician Assistant might never see their monument. By 2005, the first flight carried 12 veterans to D.C. in a charter plane. In 2019, 23, 045 veterans of wartime had

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SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

flown to D.C. for organized tours. Since 2005 a total of 245,178 veterans participated in the network; 53% were veterans of Vietnam.

The Honor Flight is available to veterans who served during wartime in the eras of World War II, Korean and Vietnam Wars, as well as Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, the Persian Gulf, Somalia, Bosnia, Kosovo, and Operations Ending Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and New Day. Overseas duty is not a requirement. Veterans are selected on a "first-come, first-served basis," though priority goes to World War II veterans, 250 dying in the U.S. every day, and veterans with terminal illnesses. The second priority is to Korean War veterans and then Vietnam War veterans.

Originally Bryant was interested in traveling as an "Honor Guardian." The program requires that each veteran be accompanied by a volunteer who assists the veteran, many of whom are in wheelchairs or have mobility issues. Guardians must attend a one-day training and pay $500 for their expenses. Veterans do not pay for the trip funded by tax-deductible, private donations from individuals and companies.

Kenny's sister advised him first to make the trip as a veteran, and he did so along with his two-year-older brother Kirby, an electrician aboard an aircraft carrier in the South China Sea. Their Honor Guardians were younger sister Dell Bryant Vincent and her daughter, Faith Hale.

For Kenny and Kirby, the trip began May 5, 2018, at 5:30 a.m. at the Brunswick-Golden Aisles airport, one of four hubs in Georgia, the others being Conyers, Savannah, and Middle Georgia. The veterans wear royal blue Honor Flight t-shirts and navy hats; their guardians are wearing bright yellow shirts.

Approximately 50 veterans and guardians board a private plane for a 90-minute flight to Baltimore, Maryland. After transferring to four luxury buses, a U.S. Park Police motorcycle escort cleared traffic for the 45-mile trip into Washington, D.C. At the Vietnam War Memorial, Kenny looked for names of classmates Paul "Frog" Woods and William "Bill" Earl Royal.

Other Wayne Countians represented on the wall were James Lee Ellis, Jr., Ivey Jackson Hayes, John Henry Lightsey, Roger Edward Mathis, James Richard Thomas, and Ralph Traylor Woodall, Jr. To enhance the experience for future attendees, parts of the

"I'VE TRIED TO ENCOURAGE OTHER VIETNAM WAR VETERANS FROM JESUP TO ATTEND. IT HELPS THE HEALING AND CLOSURE.� trip are kept undisclosed to the public. But, by 10:30 p.m., the group is back in Brunswick. Along the way, a host of volunteers, groups, and institutions in the area participate in celebrating and honoring the veterans. The experience allows veterans to share their personal experiences, stories, memories of lost comrades, and collective consciousness with others who know the unique fraternity that binds them all together.

When asked to summarize what the experience meant to him, Kenny replied, "Closure." Questioned further, he matter-of-factly added, "America did not celebrate the Vietnam veterans when they came home from war. I landed in California and changed flights back to Georgia. We had to wear our uniform to get a free flight. Not one single person spoke to me in the airport or on the plane. I didn't volunteer to go there.

They (the government) volunteered me. " Commenting on the emotional aspect of the trip, Bryant said, "It's is the only time I've ever seen my brother cry."

June 11, 2020, all Honor Flights were suspended due to safety concerns for the veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic. The flights should resume in the spring of 2021, and Kenny Bryant will repeat the trip, this time as an Honor Flight Guardian to Grover McEchin of Jesup, also an Air Force Veteran. "I've tried to encourage other Vietnam War Veterans from Jesup to attend.

It helps the healing and closure.

As one unidentified commentator remarked, "For those who fought for it, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know." |WM

THE HONOR FLIGHT DAY-LONG ITINERARY INCLUDES: H National World War II Memorial on the Washington Mall H Korean War Memorial H Vietnam War Memorial and Nurses Memorial H Marine Corps Memorial with the iconic depiction of raising the flag on Iwo Jima H Lincoln Memorial H FDR Memorial H Navy Memorial on Pennsylvania Avenue H Air Force Memorial at Arlington, Virginia H Arlington Memorial Cemetery

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We look forward to serving you!

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SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

Open Mon-Fri 9-6 and Sat 9-1

“

A Moment to be Story by Jade Brown Photography provided by

Page Poppell Blanton

D

P

Carried �

S E RV I N G

ictionary.com defines "mission" as an important goal or purpose that is accompanied by strong conviction; a calling or vocation.

Mission is the word Page Blanton used to describe six weeks in her ICU Crisis Response assignment at Beth Israel Hospital in Newark, New Jersey. Page has been an RN for nine years working in the Level 1 trauma center at Memorial Hospital in Savannah, GA. She also has experience in the Cardiac ICU. When Covid-19 hit the United States, certain areas of the country, specifically New York, New Jersey, and California, were hit especially hard. As a certified nurse, Page received emails from nursing travel agencies who were desperately trying to recruit extra help in these hardhit areas. For weeks, she deleted these emails, thinking that there was nothing she could do to help. However, after reading the third daily Covid-19 update and feeling heavy-hearted about the situation that the nurses who were working in these hard-hit areas were facing, she decided that there was something she could do. She could "bring rest, joy, peace and a moment just to absorb their new reality of life," she said, "a moment to be carried."

With her husband and her family's support, she set to work researching the options and the need. In the process, Page was connected with a travel agency and accepted her commission on April 16, 2020, to begin her journey on April 21, 2020. In a matter of five days, Page was able to find a furnished apartment in Newark, get certified as a licensed RN in WAYNE MAGAZINE

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P

S E RV I N G

New Jersey and New York, make eight weeks of plans for her three children, Rowan (13), Ramsey (8), and Ford (1), pack, and hit the road. Her husband, Hamp, made the 825 mile trip with her all in one day so that she would have her car with her, said a tearful “see ya later,” and left her in God’s hands to begin her mission.

This was all new for Page: leaving her family and children for such a long period of time, driving and living in a city she was unfamiliar with, working in the trenches in a situation that everyone in the world was unsure of how to handle.

As training, Page received a two-hour computer orientation and a 15-minute explanation of the hospital's layout and was immediately put to work.

During her first 12-hour shift, Page saw the unimaginable. In this one hospital, there were 42 Covid-19 positive patients on ventilators. Within three hours on the job, three patients coded and died. These patients included postpartum mothers, hospital staffers, and people from all walks of life aged anywhere from 25 to their late 80s. The hospital team was operating on overdrive to the point of exhaustion trying to keep up. Page says, "Everywhere around me, I could see the emotional and physical impact this virus was taking on its own people. It was easy to see the broken hearts, exhaustion, sadness, and a loss of hope from these heroes who had been enduring this never-ending death cycle for four weeks before help arrived. In my first 12 hours, I saw far beyond what I could have imagined or dreamt of. It was worse than any news article, video, or google search had provided me with thus far.”

When asked about the PPE that she was provided and required to wear, Page says that she was given a face shield

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SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

“I saw far beyond what I could have imagined or dreamt of. It was worse than any news article, video, or google search had provided me with thus far.”

that was to last her indefinitely, one N95 mask and two surgical masks that were to be worn one over the other; these were to be used as long as safely possible, sometimes more than three shifts, and four PPE gowns to be reused if they were not contaminated. All of this was to be worn at all times and throughout the entire 12-hour shift. The only time staff was allowed to take off their gear was bathroom breaks, lunch breaks, and water breaks. Page said the most challenging part was "figuring out when and for how long I needed to schedule myself even to get a sip of water, use the restroom and eat something high in protein and high in energy to last me the remainder of my shift. Some shifts, I may only get two opportunities to hydrate myself, and other shifts I may find four times to allow for that.”

Through all of the difficulties, Page was able to find joy in this experience.

She says that given the chance, she would do it all again. Since her return to Jesup, she has continued to work in the medical ICU unit at Memorial Hospital in Savannah, GA which is also the COVID-19 unit. She says that it continues to be a difficult situation to work in and around. “This experience has changed me in ways I can’t explain.

I’ve learned that I'm way more resilient and strong than what I give myself credit for. There's always death around you and you have to find some sort of positive not to let it consume you," Page says. Though she gives high praise and all the credit to the men and women she worked with and around during this experience, Page is undoubtedly a hero herself. She answered her mission and continues to fight through the uncertainty of this pandemic. Jesup should be very proud and honored to house this amazing hero and call her our own. |WM

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Seated: Shirlene Armstrong, Commissioner District 1 David Earle Keith, Mayor Mike Deal, City Manager Standing: Mike Conner, City Attorney Nick Harris, Commissioner District 3 Don Darden, Commissioner District 2 Bill Harvey, Commissioner District 6 Rose Jackson, City Clerk Ray House, Commissioner District 5

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SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

Wayne Magazine

Food Section

Southern Evening Buffet

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Story and Recipes by SUSAN GOEHRING Photo by MATTIE GENAUX

Susan Goehring, Food Editor, Wayne Magazine

The supposedly cooler weather of fall opens our taste buds up for southern cooking with oomph to it. While a low country boil can be served all year long, your leftovers can be used to create a seafood chowder that will fill you up and warm your tummy. It starts with your leftovers (at least at my house, we always had leftovers). A creamy half-and-half or milk base absorbs all the mingled flavors with a few added spice touches. My version starts with a crabmeat bisque recipe for the base, but you can use your favorite crab or oyster stew recipe to start. The best part of this, for me anyway, is that you can cut up all your low country boil leftovers and freeze the mix in zip lock bags.

On a night that homemade soup is in order, defrost your bag of goodies in the microwave. By the time they're ready to stir in, your base will be warm and slightly thickened. Serve with rolls or croissants with butter and accept the compliments.

If you have had your fill of seafood by the time cooler weather comes around, try something completely different. A white chili marries the flavors of green chiles and cumin with lighter ingredients.

Ground chicken or turkey and cannellini beans replace the ground beef and black beans, and the contrast is delightful.

Into story continued on next page WAYNE MAGAZINE

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Roasted Oysters

When your guests begin to arrive, munchies can fill the gap until dinnertime. Rosemary roasted cashews have become one of my most requested appetizers, and they will go fast, so make twice as much as you think you need.

Shrimp Dip Delight is another favorite, and the quantity of ingredients is very flexible.

The winner of Wayne County Tourism Board's Catfish Tournament weighed 54 pounds - it would have made LOTS of fish dip. However, I prefer to use my "own grown" catfish for Drop Dead Peppered Catfish Spread. Oscar's Seafood should be able to help you with your fish of choice. This is not a “quick” appetizer, but trust me, the flavor will blow your guests away, and it is worth taking the time. Everyone will want the recipe, but only the best hostesses will actually make it.

Photo by Mattie Genaux Photography

I have a confession to make. It's embarrassing, but it's true. I do NOT eat oysters. I never even shucked an oyster until I was preparing them for the photo shoot for this issue. I didn't have a clue as to how to open the darn things once they were roasted. The fact that I managed to roast them (on the gas grill) and then open them, and actually make something with them is earth-shattering (at least to me)!! Once again, Oscar's Seafood was the supplier of two dozen beautiful oysters. There were several doubles, which was a little confusing for this oyster rookie, but I figured it out. I was mesmerized by the beauty of the shells, so I scrubbed them and then put

Low Country Boil Chowder 98

SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

Photo by Mattie Genaux Photography

them in my dishwasher (NO SOAP), so I could use them for Oysters Rockefeller.

Another confession – the Rockefeller part is delicious, even without the oysters!!

Brownies are always an easy dessert choice, and this particular recipe is sooooo simple. Boxed brownie mix, chocolate candy bars, and Kahlua – what else do you need?

The year 2020 has been a challenge for all of us, some more than others. As my friend Pam Shuman says, she and I both are "huggers." Social distancing has been quite difficult for people like us, and as the holidays and the new year approach, it will continue to be our new norm. So, even though your guest list may be smaller than usual, try some of these recipes that interest you. Gifts of food, especially home-cooked, are always appreciated. You might start a new holiday tradition. I'm on Facebook; let me know if you enjoy some of my favorites!!!

Wayne Magazine

Recipes

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Food Section

BOURBON APPLE • 2 oz. bourbon • 2 oz. ginger syrup - 2 oz. of peeled and sliced fresh ginger - 1 cup of sugar - 1 cup of water - Simmer for 15 minutes and strain • 2 oz. apple cider or juice • 2 oz. lemon juice Combine, shake, pour into rock glasses.

Garnish with apple balls. This can be mixed ahead in a pitcher filled with ice or carafe for convenience.

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Photo by Mattie Genaux Photography

OYSTERS ROCKEFELLER CASSEROLE • • • • • • • • • • • •

3 sticks butter 1 teaspoon fresh thyme 1 2/3 cups chopped green onions 1 cup chopped celery 1 large clove garlic, pressed 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon anchovy paste 1 ½ cups seasoned bread crumbs 2 pints oysters, drained, reserving ½ cup of liquid ¾ cup chopped fresh parsley ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese 3 10-ounce packages frozen chopped spinach, cooked and drained • ½ teaspoon salt • ¼ teaspoon black pepper • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper Preheat oven to 375 degrees In a large skillet, melt butter; add thyme, onions, celery and garlic. Saute 5 minutes; add Worcestershire sauce, anchovy paste and bread crumbs. Stir five minutes until bread crumbs are toasted. Fold in oysters, liquid, parsley and cheese.

Cook until oysters curl, about three minutes. Add spinach.

Season with salt, black pepper and cayenne. Place in a 3-quart casserole and bake 20-25 minutes. May be served in individual ramekins or on oyster shells as an appetizer.

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Wayne Magazine

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Food Section

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PEPPERED CATFISH

SYMPHONY BROWNIES

• 1 box Brownie Mix (the kind you add oil, eggs and water to) • 3 extra-large Symphony candy bars • Kahlua

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Mix the brownie mix in a bowl, using the directions, but substituting Kahlua for the water. Heavily spray a 9 x 13 pan with a non-stick spray. Put half of the batter in the pan, top with candy bars, then put remainder of brownie batter on top. Bake according to directions.

Let cool and slice.

SHRIMP DIP DELIGHT • 1 pound raw shrimp • 1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened • ½ cup finely chopped green onions • ½ cup chopped celery • 3 tablespoons lemon juice • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley • ½ teaspoon salt • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper • ½ cup mayonnaise Boil, peel, devein and chop shrimp. In a bowl, blend cream cheese with onions, celery, lemon juice, parsley, salt, cayenne and mayonnaise. Fold in shrimp. Cover and refrigerate. Serve with crackers or fresh celery and carrot sticks.

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SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

Three Pepper Catfish Rub: • 3 tablespoons coarsely ground black pepper • 2 tablespoons coarse salt, either kosher or sea salt • 1 ½ tablespoons coarsely ground white pepper • 1 teaspoon onion powder • ½ teaspoon cayenne Six 8-ounce catfish fillets At least 2 ½ hours before you plan to barbecue or preferably the night before, mix the rub ingredients together in a small bowl. Cover the catfish lightly and evenly with the rub. Place the fillets in a plastic bag and refrigerate them for two hours or overnight.

Prepare the smoker for barbequing, bringing the temperature to 180-200 degrees.

Remove the fillets from the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for 20 minutes.

Place the catfish in the smoker on a small grill rack as far from the fire as possible. Cook the fish for approximately 1 ½ hours. When cooked, the fish will be opaque and firm, yet flaky. Use smoked catfish to prepare Drop-Dead Spread.

DROP-DEAD PEPPERED CATFISH SPREAD • 8 ounces of peppered catfish • 3-ounce package cream cheese, softened • 3 tablespoons minced onion • 3 tablespoons pecan pieces, toasted • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice • 1 ½ teaspoons creole or Dijon mustard • ¾ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce • Several drops Tabasco or other hot pepper sauce • Salt and pepper to taste Flake the fish, discarding any skin and bones. Place the fish and remaining ingredients in a food processor and process until well mixed. Pack the spread into small serving bowl and refrigerate, covered, for at least 30 minutes.

Serve with zucchini rounds, crackers or breadsticks.

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ROSEMARY ROASTED CASHEWS • • • • •

1 pound roasted cashews with sea salt 4 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary leaves 1 teaspoon chipotle pepper 2 tablespoons brown sugar 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spread the cashews on a sheet pan. Toast in the oven until warm, about five minutes.

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In a large bowl, combine rosemary, chipotle, sugar, and butter. Thoroughly toss the warm cashews with the spiced butter and serve. These go VERY fast, so always make lots! You can freeze and then reheat in the oven (if you have any left)!

EASY WHITE CHILI

• 1 pound lean ground chicken or turkey • 1 medium onion, chopped • 2 cans (15 ounces each) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained • 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chiles • 1 teaspoon ground cumin • ½ teaspoon dried oregano • ¼ teaspoon pepper • 1 can (14 ½ ounces) chicken broth Optional toppings: sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese and chopped fresh cilantro or parsley In a large saucepan, cook ground meat and onion over medium-high heat until no longer pink, 6-8 minutes, breaking into crumbles.

Pour one can of beans in a small bowl and mash slightly. Stir mashed beans, remaining can of beans, chiles, seasonings and broth into mixture, bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until flavors are blended, 12-15 minutes.

Serve with toppings as desired.

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LEAH L. JONES, P.C. Attorney At Law

SPECIALIZING IN REAL ESTATE LAW AND BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS 347 East Cherry Street • Jesup, Georgia 31546 • 912.427.8222

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SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

“And suddenly, the woodland has bared its branches. The days now cloth the new season, like a bride. And though cold and pale, its exquisite beauty fills my eyes with such incomparable warmth I shall carry this grace with me, in my soul…”

- EXCERPT FROM THE POEM FRIGID

BY CLAIREL ESTEVEZ

WINTER ELEGANCE I

try to create a special piece for each of my children for their birthdays. The subject here is my daughter Chloe. She loves beautiful gowns, the color blue, and the excitement that winter brings. With this in mind, I took images of her and imposed her into a digital painting. The blending of the two was then matched through the use of shadows & highlights. I then edited the image as a whole significantly to create this “Painterly Portrait.”

Story and Artwork by MATTIE GENAUX

Mattie Genaux specializes in maternity, newborn, and family portraiture while branching out into fine art composites through newborn photography.

This outlet has created a new passion for Mattie in creating works of art tailored to each client's needs.

For more information, visit genauxphotography. com or facebook.com/MattieGenauxPhotography.

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“Every artist was first an amateur.”

- RALPH WALDO EMERSON

Young Artists

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“These young ladies constantly surprise me with their amazing talents. They push themselves into new areas of color and technique to give themselves diverse abilities. Each is creating their own style. It is so much fun to watch their minds and hearts evolve.” - Linda Wasdin (Kenly Ogden, Mary Nell Mosley, Linda Wasdin, Gracie Townsend, Natalie Hendrix)

Story and photography by CONNIE RIDDLE

Teenagers today have a lot of demands on their time-school, extra-curricular activities, sports, dance, church, etc.

Even though these four teenagers are involved in numerous things, they still find time once a week to meet at Studio Red for art lessons with Linda Wasdin. Linda has painted for years, having learned from her mother Dot (D-Dot) Kenerly. It is inspiring to see teenagers take time to sit, be artistic, grow, and learn in a quiet setting. Linda encourages them to choose different things to paint, even though they all have their favorite things! WM

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“What inspired my painting is my love for dance and my amazing coaches, Angie Young and Abby Potts. My art teacher, Linda Wasdin, also inspires me to do my best in every painting.”

SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

GRACIE TOWNSEND - 14 years old Parents: Mark & Mandy Townsend

MARY NELL MOSLEY - 14 years old Parents: Brent & Felicia Mosley

“I started taking art lessons in 2018. I like to paint animals. My favorite color is blue.”

NATALIE HENDRIX - 15 years old Parents: Lance & Emily Hendrix

“I have been painting for several years and enjoy painting objects. I have a lot of admiration for my mother, who also is an artist.”

“I started painting three years ago, and I love to paint beach scenes. My favorite artist was my greatgrandmother, Dot (D-Dot) Kenerly.”

KENLY OGDEN - 15 years old Parents: Leslie Dubberly & Benji Ogden WAYNE MAGAZINE

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FOCUS ON THE

lights

Story by CANDICE MCKINLEY | Photography by NIKI SUGGS

ABOVE:

Tristan Suggs on set at Right On Cue Productions, his film production company.

O

ne of the great things about living in the digital age is that if you want to learn how to do something, so long as you have the will, you can find a way.

The traditional standards for creative achievement are being upended by newer models of gaining experience and exposure. If one door closes, now an entire houseful of windows opens up.

That's why 17-year-old actor Tristan Suggs is currently writing a new screenplay for a short film, following his first successful short film, Through His Eyes, filmed in Jesup, GA. As Tristan approached age 17, his agent told him that it would be challenging to be selected for roles due to underage liability issues (one reason why "teen" actors look much older onscreen).

His agent suggested that while he was waiting to turn 18, Tristan should find ways to create content, build his acting reputation, and gain necessary experience.

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His current film is about the donorreceiver relationship of a heart transplant recipient. Tristan is writing the screenplay with proofreading help from his mother and "Momager," Niki Suggs. At the same time, he has spent hours on YouTube researching the emotional expressions of transplant patients when they meet their donor's family in order to deliver a sincere acting performance for the film. In essence, Tristan is practicing Method Acting, a technique in which an actor aspires to sincere, emotionally expressive performances by fully immersing himself in a character's role. In addition to writing and acting, Tristan also created his own production company, Right On Cue Productions, with the support of his mother, father (Greg Suggs), and younger brother (Colton Suggs). This Wayne County High School Senior knows that it takes more than luck to be successful and spends his time creating opportunities rather than waiting for them.

SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

Tristan's first film, Through His Eyes (2019), is an endearing look at the relationship between him and his younger brother, Colton. "Colton is on the Autism spectrum," Niki said, "and this [film] was a challenge for him. It was stepping out, which is a big deal for him." The film is an honest look at the brothers' relationship and includes scenes that have come directly from the boys' lives. They worked together to show the bond they have and how they operate as a team.

Colton played a big role in the film's production, not only by acting on camera but also by helping with sound and editing the film in post-production, which sparked a passion in him to enroll in AV Tech at Wayne County High School as part of his pathway. He said he enjoyed the process. "It was like one of the best experiences because I was able to have my friends over and hang out with my brother," he said. "I was nervous, but my family and my friends helped calm my nerves. I would definitely do it again." Tristan relates to his brother's

ABOVE: Tristian with Amiah Height, manager of The Bistro, where Tristian works as a cook.

challenges. "I am dyslexic, and that's been challenging for me," he said. "Before we made the film, we researched all the actors out there who also have learning disabilities, and there were a lot."

The production crew for Through His Eyes consisted of Tristan, Colton, and their friends. Lance Holland was on camera, editing, and music; Tyler Holland was the director, and Emmett Booker was on sound. And before any of that could take place, Niki had to learn it all herself first. "While they were at school, I taught myself how to use the [Adobe] Premier Pro software so that I could teach them how to edit their film when they got home," she said.

She wanted to help them achieve their goals, which they did. Through His Eyes was submitted to Southern Shorts Awards and won awards for Acting, Directing, Music, Production, and Screenplay.

that, he was taking acting lessons every week in Savannah with renowned actor William Mark McCoullough.

He is learning what it means to be both in front of the camera and behind-thescenes, but it's not all Hollywood around the Suggs home. Tristan works hard to maintain his grades and has a part-time job at the Strand Bistro. He also loves to cook creatively. "Reading recipes helps me focus, which helps with my dyslexia," he said. He and Colton both enjoy that other teen staple, video games, and play together when they're not hanging out with their friends.

Looking to the future, Tristan said he wants to continue getting "better and better" at content creation while he waits for 18 to arrive. He wants to use his time learning as much as he can about the different parts of the industry so that he is ready to jump back in next year.

Tristan and his family have been diligently working toward these goals for the past four years. What started as a simple comment about how photogenic he was, turned into Tristan being signed as a model in Savannah, then in New York, and then in Atlanta.

To anyone who wants to learn how to chase after their own dream, Tristan says, "It's not that it won't be hard, but anything worth having is worth fighting for. Anybody can do it. Don't let your fear stop you. Fear is something that everyone experiences so remember, when you step out on your own stage, just focus on the lights."

Modeling soon turned to acting when 15-year-old Tristan blurted out, "Airplanes are comfortable because you can lay down and go to sleep," to a signing agent during an improv moment, which unexpectedly made her laugh. Soon after

To learn more about Tristan, visit his Facebook page, Right On Cue Productions, or search for Tristan Suggs on IMDb.com. WM

ABOVE: Tristan auditioning on stage in New York City.

ABOVE: Christian Gibson, Tristan Suggs, Tyler Holland, Lance Holland, and Colton Suggs.

“Fear is something that everyone experiences so remember, when you step out on your own stage, just focus on the lights.�

WAYNE MAGAZINE

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Ultimately, hospice is not about dying. It is about helkping your loved ones live the best quality of life with dignity when life expectancy is limited.

Your Family Hospice will help manage pain and symptoms while easing the burden on caregivers and family.

Founded by Florence Baggs and Melissa Thomas. Your Family Hospice is based on a vision and mission to help those who are in need of quality care at the end-of-life expectancy.

Your Family Hospice is the First Established Locally-Owned Hospice of Hinesville Serving Appling, Bulloch, Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Glynn, LIBERTY, Long, McIntosh, Tattnall and WAYNE counties.

912-332-7969 Fax: 912-332-5364

908 Main Street; Suite 102 Hinesville, GA 31313 info@your-familyhospice.com your-familyhospice.com

roYal pools of Jesup Life is Better by the Pool Your pool and spa professionals 108

SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

286 Lanes Bridge Road Jesup, Georgia 31545 (912) 385-2530 royalpoolsofjesup.com

art

Story by CANDICE MCKINLEY Photos by CONNIE RIDDLE

IS FOR EVERYONE

"If a child doesn't visit a museum by the time they graduate from high school, they probably never will."

- Chris Clark, CEO & President of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce

That was the statement I heard that changed my direction as an artist. I had a vision of art being accessible for rural communities -- but how? Art grants and funding are hard to come by in a small town, and they take forever to trickle down, not to mention how competitive the field can be. So, I researched how to put a proposal together, did my best to follow the instructions, and took my plans to the one person I thought might take a chance on me - restauranteur Jesse Thomas. I wagered that he knew about calculated

risks because he, too, had wanted to create a novel experience for our community, and he had succeeded.

I asked him to let me paint for the public, and he (honestly, to my amazement) took a chance on me. I told him that I wanted to create a public art gallery for residents in smaller communities across Southeast Georgia (I didn't say 'across Southeast Georgia' at the time because I didn't want to scare him off.)

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And then something magical happened.

I went with his family to Miami and we saw Wynwood Walls together. Wynwood Walls was an otherwise derelict warehouse district until these fantastic murals began popping up in 2009. Today, it is an international tourist destination and drew approximately 3 million tourists in 2018 alone. Businesses have popped up everywhere and it is a thriving model of art driving economic development. Following that, Atlanta started their own 100 murals project called Living Walls.

I didn't know any of that when we visited. I just remember turning to Jesse and his wife, Lacie, and saying, "This!

This is what I was talking about!" When

we came back to Jesup, I started telling anybody who stood still long enough about this vision for our community. I talked Jesse's ear off ad nauseum and asked friends on Facebook to support this idea, many of whom listened and have become patron supporters.

About a year ago, Jesse and I began planning to create this body of artwork that will become a public art gallery for Wayne, Ware, Appling, and surrounding counties in Southeast Georgia, starting in our hometown of Jesup. In October, the first installment was constructed by local business Nixon's Finishing at Gooey's in Jesup. It is currently a canvas about the length of a football field, with plans to expand.

(Right) In October, local business Nixon’s Finishing began construction of the future public art gallery at Gooey’s. Owner Jermaine Nixon, Lester Wilson, and Shane Rowe made up the crew.

(Below) Local artist Candice McKinley's most recent murals, located on the exterior walls of Gooey's Pizza in Jesup.

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SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

My vision is to beautify smaller communities across Southeast Georgia with flagship art pieces, showcasing our communities to a broader audience, and promote economic development through art and culture. For more information or to become a patron, visit candiceartanddesign.com, or follow me on Facebook. WM

Where it all comes together for your business

261 W Plum Street - Jesup, GA - (912)427-2028 - waynechamber.com WAYNE MAGAZINE

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You are

Welcome

Weekly Schedule: Sunday

Sunday School Morning Worship Evening Worship

here.

Wednesday

9:15 am Family Night Supper 10:30 am Choir Practice 6:00 pm Awana Youth Adults

5:30 pm 6:00 pm 6:15 pm 6:25 pm 7:00 pm

CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH

415 East Cherry Street, Jesup, GA 31546 | cbcjesup.org | (912) 427-2366

LOCALLY OWNED • LOCALLY INVESTED Brands you know & trust from people you know & trust Owners Shelsea & Glen Pond

912-256-REST www.magicmattressandhomefurniture.com In the plaza beside Walmart • 114 Allison St, Jesup GA 31545

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SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

Rev. Vann Dempsey - Pastor Rev. Pete Boyd - Associate Pastor Rev. Gary Johnson - Children/Admin Rev. Mark Santana - Youth/Associate Mr. Bruce Harris - Director of Music

TALKOF THE TOWN

SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PEOPLE AND EVENTS

Ray House - City Council, David Earl Keith - Mayor, Mike Deal - City Manager, Shirlene Armstrong - City Council, Don Darden - City Council, Rose Marcus - City Clerk burying the time capsule at city hall.

CITY OF JESUP’S SESQICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION T

he City of Jesup marked its 150th anniversary on October 24, 2020, the same day it was officially recognized as a city in 1870. A ceremony was held at city

hall with the burying of a time capsule and other recognitions.

Various activities throughout the month commemorated this important milestone.

WAYNE MAGAZINE

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TALKOF THE TOWN

SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PEOPLE AND EVENTS

(ABOVE) Former and current City of Jesup Mayors and City Council members. (BELOW) Mayor Keith presents Proclamation to Grace Riley, Jesup's Oldest Living Citizen - 100 Years Old. (BELOW RIGHT) U.S Representative Buddy Carter presents an American flag to Mayor Keith.

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SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

PHONE 912-262-2723 • 912-262-2724 • FAX 877-244-5666 www.nephrologyofthegoldenisles.com

Ahmed ElSharkawi, M.D. Ph.D, FASN

Reejis Stephen, M.D.

SPECIALISTS IN DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF ACUTE AND CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE AND HYPERTENSION

Vicky Alday, FNP-BC

Colette Lee-Lewis, M.D.

823 S 1st St • Jesup, GA 31545 | 3025 Shrine Rd. Ste 270 • Brunswick, GA 31520 | 2040 Dan Proctor Dr. Ste 200 • St Marys, GA 31558

21 ST

AN

NU AL

YOU ARE INVITED COME & CELEBRATE WITH US!

SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021 // AGES 9 & UP

JEKYLL ISLAND CONVENTION CENTER Early Bird Admission Through February 19 REGISTER AT GOLDENISLESPURITYBALL.COM

SPONSORED BY

ANONYMOUS FOCUSING ON THE CAUSE

PROJECT

WAYNE MAGAZINE

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TALKOF THE TOWN

SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PEOPLE AND EVENTS

PARKER’S DONATES $2,000 TO SUPPORT STUDENTS AND TEACHERS AT WAYNE COUNTY SCHOOLS

P

arker’s, a nationally acclaimed convenience store company and food service leader, recently donated $2,000 to Wayne County Schools as part of the company’s Fueling the Community program, which donates one cent of every gallon of gas sold on the first Wednesday of each month to local schools.

To date, Parker’s has donated more than $1 million to area schools through the program.

(bottom row) Angie Jones, Board Member; Pam Holmes, Executive Director; Rachel Autry, Advocacy/Recruitment Coordinator; Pamela Shuman, Board Member; (top row) Melissa Knight, volunteer; Kimberly Jones, volunteer; Xiomara Fernandez; Cindy Nichols, volunteer; Brooke Tyre, volunteer; NOT PICTURED: Miranda Carter, volunteer.

ADVOCACY FOR CHILDREN: HELPING CHILDREN AND IMPROVING LIVES

T

ri-County CASA’s mission is to provide community based advocacy for children that promotes safety and permanency for kids who are victims of abuse and/or neglect.

Trained and supervised volunteers focus on the child and become the “voice for the child” in court proceedings by presenting the child’s best interest. The program advocates for resources for kids and families involved in dependency proceedings and promotes community awareness of the problems and solutions to child abuse and neglect. In FY20, Tri-

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County CASA has 17 active trained and supervised volunteers who serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates to kids in dependency court proceedings. CASA is an entity whose mission and goal is helping children in need. Our mission and services support goals of safety and advocacy for children, permanency and stability for children in their living situations, and the child and family’s well-being.

For more information on CASA; call 912-367-0064 or visit their website at: tri-countycasainc.org

SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

“It’s truly an honor and a privilege to invest in education in Wayne County,” said Parker’s founder and CEO Greg Parker. “At Parker’s, we believe education has the power to strengthen communities. We want to support students, teachers and administrators right here in Wayne County, especially during these difficult times.”

Parker’s Chief of Staff Kate Smith (center right) recently presented a Fueling the Community check for $2,000 to Wayne County Schools.

Superintendent of Schools James Brinson (center left) and Wayne County Schools representatives accepted the donation on behalf of the school system on Oct. 6.

Barrett Browning, Colt Brockington, Justin McDonald, Bubba Walker

JD PAUL GOLF CLASSIC

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he annual JD Paul Golf Classic was held October 10, 2020. JD Paul was a member of the Wayne County Baseball Team and passed away June 20,2015. This tournament raises funds for the JD Paul Memorial Scholarship and special projects for the Wayne County Baseball Team. JD's Dad, David Paul, would like to thank the community and all of the businesses that support this event every year. It is held annually on the second Saturday of October.

(MIDDLE) Mike Phillips, David Paul, Korey Murray, Ray Thornton, and Dan Shinaglo (RIGHT) Caleb Martin, Sam Denty, Cooper Martin, Garrett Overholt, and David Paul

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Mary's

BOW K

is offering a new line of Christian gift items in addition to their beautiful floral arrangements.

Visit them today!

Carrying on a Family Tradition

Dennis Frazier – Founder Denny Frazier – Owner

147 Cherry Street | Jesup, GA 31545 (912) 427-6828 | marysbowk.com

MURPHY

BUILDERS SUPPLY “Buy Where the Builders Buy”

NEW & REFURBISHED APPLIANCES PARTS – SERVICE 515 W. Cherry Street / 912-427-8835 / fraziersappliance.com

WEDDINGS COUPLES SENIORS

SSving Wayne CCnty ff Ovv 70 Yees

kmcloon@gmail.com

(912) 427-9568

912.278.2321

156 NE BROAD STREET • JESUP, GA 31546

kellymcloonstudio.com

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SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

TALKOF THE TOWN

Showcase

Excellence in Agriculture - Raymond Harris

Ambassador of the Year - MoRonica Ravenell

James L. Harper Distinguished Service Award - John Benner

Small Business of the Year - Diversified Technical Solutions

Legacy Awards Chairman Justin Franks

Business Leader of the Year - Jeff Chandler

WAYNE COUNTY CHAMBER LEGACY AWARDS

T

he Wayne County Chamber of Commerce annual Legacy Awards was held virtually in 2020. The event highlights the successes of the chamber

year. Awards are presented to deserving individuals and businesses for their service and dedication to the community.

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1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

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11TH ANNUAL TASTE OF WAYNE

he Wayne County Chamber of Commerce held the 11th annual Taste of Wayne on March 5, 2020. The event, originally organized as a fundraiser for the Chamber of Commerce in 2010, has grown to be the

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SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

community’s signature event and attracting hundreds of attendees annually. Local restaurants provide cuisine and local businesses donate for the silent and live auctions.

TALKOF THE TOWN

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

1. Melanie Harris, Alice & Jamie Ellis, Jonathan & Gloria Overholt, John Riddle, Jodi Ammons 2. Susan Goehring, Jamie Hickox, MoRonica Ravenell 3. Stacie Branch, Jennifer Poppell, Pam Leggett 4. Roni & Ray Moore 5. Sonya and Calvin Anderson 6. Laurie & Shawn Thornton 7. Faith Manning and Clay Teston

12.

Showcase

8. Paola & Derek Williams 9. Holly O’Quinn and Gloria Overholt 10. Shaun O’Quinn and James “Boot” Thomas 11. Holli & Bryan Stevens 12. Linda & Freddy Swenson 13. Cindy Thornton, Rich & Ginger Proudfoot 14. Taylor Blanton and Jaicee Brewton

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RAYONIER ADVANCED MATERIALS FOUNDATION

1.

T

he Rayonier Advanced Materials (RYAM) Foundation awarded over $202,000 to 48 local Southeast Georgia agencies and institutions that help to address a wide range of community needs in the fields of domestic violence, healthcare,

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2.

mental health, public education, and mentoring and training programs. The RYAM Foundation is a private, charitable organization committed to improving the quality of life in the communities where Rayonier Advanced Materials operates.

TALKOF THE TOWN

Showcase 3.

5.

7.

4.

6.

8.

1. Kelly Shanklin, Office Manager, Rayonier Advanced Materials and Shelby Anderson, Executive Director, The Boys and Girls Club of the Altamaha Area.

2. Dr. Reggie Burgess, Instructional Supervisor Wayne Countey Board of Education and Kelly Shanklin.

3. John Benner, Director Wayne Service Center and Kelly Shanklin.

4. Deborah Turner, Wayne County Library Manager and Kelly Shanklin.

5. Torrone McGill, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Wayne County Inc. and Kelly Shanklin.

6. Amy Denty, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning Wayne County Board of Education, Dr. Reggie Burgess, and Kelly Shanklin.

7. Tammy Goober, Long County Library Manager and Kelly Shanklin.

8. Tanisha Towns, Center Supervisor Wayne County Head Start & PreK and Kelly Shanklin.

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Quality medical aesthetics meets small town charm.

Our mission at Magnolia Grove Medical Spa is to help you become your healthiest self and look your best from the inside out. We strive to achieve total body transformation through services provided in a warm, caring, and relaxed environment.

CALL OR TEXT: 912-559-6983 office@magnoliagrovemedicalspa.com Hours By Appointment Only Friday: 9am - 6pm • Saturday: 9am - 12pm

101 Peachtree Street Jesup, GA 31545

912-427-8825

magnoliagrovemedicalspa.com

Gopher's offers delicious food, good conversations, and an inviting small town atmosphere perfect for enjoying traditional tr Southern cuisine.

Catering Available

515 W JL Tyre Street • Screven, Georgia 31560 • (912) 579-2785

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SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

TALKOF THE TOWN

SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PEOPLE AND EVENTS

Showcase

2.

1.

SKYLARK BANQUET

S

kylark, a local nonprofit pregnancy center, recently held its 21st Annual Fundraiser Banquet with over 200 in attendance at Unity Church of God. Skylark is supported by

3.

individuals, churches, and the local community and provides services free of charge. For more information on Skylark contact Christy Carter, Director of Growth + Events, at 912-264-0231.

4.

5.

6.

7.

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8.

9.

10.

11.

1. Patrick Eades, Skylark Executive Director, Denny Silva.

2. Paul & Vicki Drawdy.

3. Tim Hutchenson, Brenda Humphrey.

4. Megan Cato, Ryker & Christy Carter.

5. David & Teresa Dance.

6. Crystal Thornton, Kendra Howard, Julie Henderson, Belinda Thornton.

7. Christine & Chris Owens.

8. Gary & Cindy Moore.

9. Joy Courson, Denise Bennett, Ann Grantham, Judy Beaver, Dennise Williams, Kaytlyn Sims, Jane O'Quinn, Holli Stephens.

10. Keith & Virginia Higgins.

11. Dell & Janet Keith, Matt & Deena Bennett, Nick & Candee Harris, Alan & Amy Volskay.

12. Lynda & Vic Drawdy.

13. Gerald & Leslie Greenlee.

14. Cecile Robertson, Cassie Robertson, Sharon Sapp, Becky Morosky.

12.

13.

14.

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SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

Our goal is to oer the highest standard of dental care to our patients in a comfortable and relaxing environment.

Dr. Hugh and the team work together to establish happiness, self-esteem, comfort and optimal dental health for each of our patients. We strive to be eďŹƒcient and encouraging while creating

beautiful smiles.

(912) 427-7072

107 Drennon Drive Jesup, GA 31545 www.jesupdentist.com

Morgan Harvey | 912-385-3607 | www.missmagnoliasoul.com

Robert A. Pumpelly, IV, MD Dr. Pumpelly welcomes Nurse Practitioner Rebecca Morosky

ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS 124 Memorial Drive | Jesup, GA 31545

(912) 427-4413 WAYNE MAGAZINE

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Index of Advertisers Photo by MATTIE GENAUX PHOTOGRAPHY

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66 8, 9 127 22, 23 33 33 112 5 89 95 112 94 66 76 11 34, 35 102 88 82 118 127 95 81 96 124 42 89 72 3 94 90 124 118 102 112 124 118 24 21 127 118 115 95 7 IFC 124 48 122 127 108 96 1 88 115 65 81 BC 90 60 84 84 111 54 82 IBC 108

Altamaha Federal Credit Union Ankle & Foot Associates Armstrong Family Dentisry, P.C. At Home Senior Living B&B Concrete Services Banks Realty Barry Crocker Farmers Insurance Bone & Joint Institue of South Georgia Boykin Steel & Crane CafĂŠ Euro Calvary Baptist Church City of Jesup Coastal Pines Technical College Crandall Eye Physicians & Surgeons David's Clothing Design Landscaping EAM Corporation Express Employment Fit Miss, LLC Frazier's Appliances & Refrigeration Fyzical Therapy Georgia Dermatology GHC Hospice Gooey's Pizza Gopher's Southern Cooking Harris Real Estate Headley Family Medicine Hospice of South Georgia Interstate Credit Union Jeff Davis Wound Care Jesup Premium Storage Jones Prescription Shop Kelly McLoon Photography Leah Lewis Jones, Attorney at Law Magic Mattress Magnolia Grove Medical Spa Mary's Bow K Mattie Genaux Photography Mine & Yours Boutique Miss Magnolia Soul Photography Murphy Builders Supply Nephrology of the Golden Isles Papa John's Partners Risk Insurance PrimeSouth Bank Professional Edge Flooring R&R Auto & Camper Sales Rayonier Advanced Materials Robert A. Pumpelley, IV, MD Royal Swimming Pools Savannah Vascular Shaun O'Quinn Country Financial Showcase Publications, Inc. Skylark: A Sexual Health + Care Clinic SMaRT Physical Therapy Sommer Skies Photography Southeast Georgia Health System Southern Drug Company Tim's Home Medical TL Gold Rents Universal Electric, Inc. Wayne County Chamber of Commerce Wayne County Commissioners Wayne Family Practice Wayne OB/GYN Your Family Hospice

altamaha.org anklesandfeet.com jesupdentist.com athomeofjesup.com AbanksRealEstate.com bjisg.com boykinsteel.com cbcjesup.org jesupga.gov coastalpines.edu crandalleye.com shopdavidsclothing.com novathin.com exprespros.com tobefitmiss.com fraziersappliance.com fyzical.com gaderm.com ghchospice.com gooeyspizza.com harris-realty.net jesupdoctor.com hospicesoga.com iufcu.org jeffdavishospital.org jesupstorage.com mygnp.com kellymcloonstudio.com magicmattressandhomefurniture.com magnoliagrovemedicalspa.com marysbowk.com genauxphotography.com shopmineandyours.com missmagnoliasoul.com murphybuilderssupply.com nephrologyofthegoldenisles.com partnersrs.com primesouth.com rrautosalesinc.com rayonieram.com royalswimmingpools.com savannahvascular.com countryfinancial.com showcasepublicationsga.com helloskylark.com smartpt.com sghs.com timshomemedicaljesup.cjom tlgoldrents.ezrentalstore.com waynechamber.com waynecountyga.us waynefamilypractice.com jesupobgyn.com your-familyhospice.com

Please thank these advertisers for making this publication possible!

Support these businesses and buy local.

SHOWCASING WAYNE COUNTY'S PERSONALITY

TINA POPPELL FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS

Working hard behind the scenes to make certain we give the best comprehensive women’s health care possible.

Wayne OB/GYN 371 Peachtree Street Jesup, GA 31545 jesupobgyn.com Dr. Jeffrey Harris, MD Board Certified OB/GYN & Family Practice We are accepting new patients.

Please call for appointment.

912-530-7301

Your Community Care Experts.

Trust your care to specialists who understand your needs and know all about your community.

We’ve been here in Jesup for years building relationships and continuously expanding to better serve our patients.

When you or a loved one needs expert, compassionate care, turn to the dedicated doctors at Southeast Georgia Physician Associates. We’ll provide personalized care centered on your needs.

And, our strategic affiliation with Southeast Georgia Health System means you’ll have access to advanced technology and procedures close to home.

Abraham Cheong, M.D. Hematology & Oncology

Duane P. Moores, M.D. Hematology & Oncology

Rafael Alba Yunen, M.D. Pulmonary Medicine

Stephen A. Chitty IV, M.D. Pulmonary Medicine

Southeast Georgia Physician Associates 125 Peachtree Street, Jesup, GA 31545 Hematology & Oncology 912-588-1073 Pulmonary Medicine 912-466-5504 © 2019 SGHS